PA budget cuts degrade environmental agencies

TRR photo by Sandy Long Despite a budget cut of $58 million, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection does not anticipate a decline in “permitting and inspection operations” at gas drilling sites such as this one in Susquehanna County, PA.

By SANDY LONG

PENNSYLVANIA—The Keystone State’s top two environmental agencies now know the dire outcomes of the nation’s lengthiest budget impasse and have begun slashing their way to a reality that includes the elimination of staff, programs and services. Among the hardest hit was the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) also facing substantial setbacks.

The Rendell administration initially announced it would furlough 147 employees from the two agencies and eliminate another 186 full-time vacant positions for a total reduction of 333 positions. In addition 1,131 seasonal workers at DCNR had their positions eliminated or hours reduced in state park and forestry operations.

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Sullivan 2009 budget and solid waste tour

County officials explain the pain

By FRITZ MAYER

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY—The outlook for the county budget for 2010 is gloomier than at any point in the past decade, and perhaps quite a bit longer. Sales taxes for 2009 will come in at about $2.64 million less than in 2008. Mortgage and property taxes will be about $1.75 million less than the previous year, and state aid dropped about $600,000. Overall, 2009 revenue for Sullivan County will have decreased by $6.07 million from 2008.

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Sullivan jail issue heats up

Will the cost bankrupt the county?

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY—The good news is that officials in Albany will go along with a plan to build a new jail with room for 256 inmates instead of the 305, and that will bring the cost down by as much as $40 million. The bad news is that a new jail will still cost taxpayers at least $80 million, and will come at a time when Sullivan County residents can’t afford a significant tax increase to pay for it.

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Other stories in this issue:

• Gas at a Glance
• An executive versus a manager
• Maitaki mushroom plant advances
• Smith wins seat on co-op board of directors
• Transition Towns on the horizon in PA?

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S