My Opinion:
Playing Politics with Parks
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has said if the Senate Republican budget (SB 850) passes, up to 50 state parks in the Commonwealth would have to close.
It turns out one-third of those parks fall within the districts of three state senators: President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman.
Coincidence? Maybe.
Playing politics? Probably.
A recent news release from DCNR Acting Secretary John Quigley said, in part, "Families that cannot afford to take a vacation because of the tough economic times could always count on enjoying a little rest and relaxation at a nearby state park or forest. However, if the Senate's budget proposal is enacted, there would be even fewer of those opportunities as we would have to close a number of state parks. That means less traffic and fewer dollars being spent in the rural communities with businesses and jobs that count on these parks and forests."
Well Mr. Quigley, families can't afford a tax increase either. Remember that when you're whining about funding cuts.
Scarnati has said time and time again that the Rendell Administration is using scare tactics to rally folks against the senate budget bill, which cuts spending more than Rendell's plan.
"Citizens have, sadly, come to expect some exaggeration from state agencies seeking additional tax dollars. But the claims made by DCNR are over the line," Scarnati said in a news release. "Citizens understand that the struggling economy and declining revenues mean the state has to spend less or raise taxes. The budget passed by the Senate chooses to spend less."
In a phone interview with me he said, "I don't believe for one minute that the constituents of the 25th District buy into the fact that I, or anybody else, would vote to close 35 state parks and do these drastic things.'
He believes the state parks will stay open but will have to cut back and find a better way to fund the system over the next several years.
Cut back? You mean live within their means? What a novel concept!
Seems to me, while most tax-paying Pennsylvanians have to re-work their household budgets to make ends meet, DCNR could do the same – considering it's taxpayer money they're spending.
If the folks at DCNR can't make a budget work with what we, the taxpayers, are giving them, maybe it's time to get people in there who can.
It turns out one-third of those parks fall within the districts of three state senators: President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman.
Coincidence? Maybe.
Playing politics? Probably.
A recent news release from DCNR Acting Secretary John Quigley said, in part, "Families that cannot afford to take a vacation because of the tough economic times could always count on enjoying a little rest and relaxation at a nearby state park or forest. However, if the Senate's budget proposal is enacted, there would be even fewer of those opportunities as we would have to close a number of state parks. That means less traffic and fewer dollars being spent in the rural communities with businesses and jobs that count on these parks and forests."
Well Mr. Quigley, families can't afford a tax increase either. Remember that when you're whining about funding cuts.
Scarnati has said time and time again that the Rendell Administration is using scare tactics to rally folks against the senate budget bill, which cuts spending more than Rendell's plan.
"Citizens have, sadly, come to expect some exaggeration from state agencies seeking additional tax dollars. But the claims made by DCNR are over the line," Scarnati said in a news release. "Citizens understand that the struggling economy and declining revenues mean the state has to spend less or raise taxes. The budget passed by the Senate chooses to spend less."
In a phone interview with me he said, "I don't believe for one minute that the constituents of the 25th District buy into the fact that I, or anybody else, would vote to close 35 state parks and do these drastic things.'
He believes the state parks will stay open but will have to cut back and find a better way to fund the system over the next several years.
Cut back? You mean live within their means? What a novel concept!
Seems to me, while most tax-paying Pennsylvanians have to re-work their household budgets to make ends meet, DCNR could do the same – considering it's taxpayer money they're spending.
If the folks at DCNR can't make a budget work with what we, the taxpayers, are giving them, maybe it's time to get people in there who can.
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