Statement of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
on the Growing Greener II Initiative

May 27, 2004

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania strongly supports the Growing Greener II Initiative and the proposed $800 million bond issue to provide funds over the next four years to preserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s “quality of life” as an essential component of economic stimulus in the Commonwealth.

We must maintain the momentum of the successful Environmental Stewardship Fund and Keystone Fund to restore degraded lands and waters, reclaim brownfields and return them to profitable use, revitalize older towns and cities to make them attractive places in which to live, and preserve the natural heritage of Pennsylvania in its State Parks and Forests, working forests, prime farmlands and scenic open spaces.

The thriving tourism and recreation industry in Pennsylvania, possibly our top income producing industry, is based on these assets.

We support the allocation of:

$330 million to DCNR for State Parks and Forests, working forests, farmland preservation and open space protection.

$300 million to DEP for environmental cleanup of lands and waters, including those polluted by abandoned mines, and

$170 million for revitalizing older communities.

The League supports the Governor’s proposed fees on waste disposal in Pennsylvania’s landfills to help pay for the Growing Greener II bond issue if tied to the goals of that initiative.
Passage by the General Assembly of legislation that will authorize this bond issue and then approval of the bond issue by voters will ensure responsible stewardship of the environment and promote economic opportunity.