For Immediate Release: February 4, 2014
Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Expresses Cautious Optimism
Over Governor’s Proposed Budget
Organization Calls for Restoration of Heritage Areas Program Funding
(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to Governor Corbett’s 2014-15 budget proposal:
“The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition is grateful that the Governor recognizes the importance of maintaining the programs that protect and restore our drinking water, preserve our farms and open spaces, and provide recreational opportunities.
“We appreciate that the Governor’s proposed budget appears to leave intact funding for critical programs such as Growing Greener, Keystone ’93 and Historic and Agriculture Preservation.
“However, the Coalition has grave concerns about the elimination of funding for the Heritage Areas Program, which has successfully conserved and enhanced the state’s natural resources and promoted tourism development for nearly 25 years.
“The Legislature rightly rescued this important program last year, and we are surprised and disappointed that it is slated for the chopping block again this year.
“The Coalition looks forward to working with the Corbett Administration and members of the House and Senate to restore funding for the Heritage Areas Program, which creates jobs and brings business to the region, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenues.”
