Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The state House has passed a bill that would immediately impose a three-year moratorium on natural gas drilling on state forest land. Sponsors of the bill want a thorough environmental assessment of the impact of drilling on the land before more can be leased. Speaking on the House floor against an amendment to the bill, State Representative Marty Causer said passing the bill would delay development in the Commonwealth. He said the counties he represents have some of the highest unemployment in Pennsylvania and drilling is “one bright spot that we actually have.” “This is one potential area where we can put people to work … and that’s what we need to do,” he said, drawing cheers from some of his colleagues Causer continued, saying the overall goal of the bill is to stop drilling all together. “Make no mistake, the people pushing this legislation want to stop the drilling, whether it’s on state land or private land – any land. They want to stop t...

HARRISBURG – Governor Ed Rendell today urged members of the General Assembly to include support for Pennsylvania libraries in the final state budget, saying a budget proposal by Senate Republicans would slash library funding to an 11-year low. “Along with the Democrats in the House and Senate, I am fighting for a $68 million library subsidy,” Governor Rendell said during a visit to the East Shore Area Library in suburban Harrisburg. “I know that amount is less than last year’s subsidy, but with a $3.2 billion deficit, all programs must share in the cuts. I have worked hard to protect libraries to the greatest extent possible.” Without an adequate level of state support, the Governor said libraries across Pennsylvania would be forced to trim staff, reduce operating hours and curtail book purchases. He said many libraries offer important resources that help the unemployed to find new jobs. The continuing budget impasse is having a serious impact on the state’s district library centers, w...