(HARRISBURG, PA)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority, in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s $37.8 billion General Fund budget proposal for fiscal year 2021-22.
Ms. Gority said:
“In his budget address, Governor Wolf asked us to ‘Imagine, no more chronic underfunding’ when referring to investments in education. At CBF, we have been imagining what it would be like to have no more chronic underfunding of Pennsylvania’s commitment to clean water.
“This while the public health, social, and economic costs of living with over 25,000 miles of polluted rivers and streams continue to grow.
“Unfortunately, this proposal does little to help the Commonwealth change course from being significantly behind in meeting its clean water goals. It remains unclear how the state will close the over $320 million annual shortfall in investments needed to achieve its Clean Water Blueprint by 2025.
“In the coming months as the Governor and legislature work toward a final budget, we urge them not to raid 13 dedicated environmental and conservation funds, that support critical clean water efforts like Growing Greener and others, in order to fill gaps in the General Fund to pay the state’s bills.
“Clean water is critical to the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of all Pennsylvanians and a lot of work lies ahead. It is time our elected leaders act on that.
“CBF looks forward to working with the Governor and legislators toward a legacy of clean water for future generations.”
