News & Notes March 2005

Governor's Budget Shows Decreases for DEP and PDA

Governor Rendell recently released the proposed Fiscal Year 2005-06 budget. The overall budget increases spending by 3.5% while incurring no new taxes. In order to do so, budget cuts had to be made. Some of the proposals in the budget include reducing Pennsylvania business taxes, reducing government spending, and stimulating Pennsylvania's economy. While education spending and the Department of Public Welfare's Medical Assistance program saw increases, the Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture were among those facing big cuts.

The Department of Environmental Protection took about a $20 million decrease from last year. A number of programs were eliminated including $6.8 million for waste tire piles, $7.5 million for safe drinking water grants (which Secretary McGinty said were earmarked for specific projects), and $4.4 million for the black fly program. Other increases from last year were cut including the legislative initiatives to increase funding for the river basin commissions, conservation districts, and the spent mushroom composting project.

The Department of Agriculture received about a $14 million decrease. Reductions were seen in the Animal Health Commission, PA Fairs, State Food Purchase, and Food Marketing and Research.

Specific programs of interest to conservation districts:

• The DEP line item for Local Soil and Water District Assistance reverted back to $3.1 million (which was the Governor's budget for last year before the legislative initiative to add $450,000)
• The Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Source Abatement program was increased to $3.271 million from $3.098 million last year.
• The Nutrient Management Fund was allocated $3.28 million which is the same as last year.
• The PDA line item for Local Soil and Water District Assistance reverted back to $1.21 million (which was the Governor's budget for last year before the legislative initiative to add $450,000).

Another issue of importance to conservation districts is Growing Greener 2. In his address, the Governor said he is working with the House and Senate to get Growing Greener 2 passed. Secretary McGinty says Growing Greener 2 legislation has to be passed by March 17 in order to make it to the May ballot. PACD will continue to keep its members informed on this issue.

The Governor's proposed budget will now be reviewed by the Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate. For more information on the budget as it is being reviewed, visit the Governor's website at www.governor.state.pa.us.

Boot Camp 2005

PACD is now accepting applications for the 2005 Basic and Level II Agricultural Conservation Technical (Boot Camp) training sessions. The training sessions are held as professional development opportunities for conservation district and NRCS employees. Level I (Basic) will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap the week of April 11-15, 2005. Level II will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap the week of May 9-13, 2005.

These sessions are free of charge to participants and are sponsored by the State Conservation Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, PA Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Department of Environmental Protection, and the Dauphin County Conservation District. Call PACD at (717) 238-7223 for an application or visit the website, http://www.pacd.org/events/bootcamp.htm.