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Senator Mary Jo White Statement in Response to PA Democratic Party Press Release
I’m not sure what prompted Rep. T.J. Rooney’s
(D-133) tirade against Republicans. He may simply think it is part of his
duty as a loyal soldier of the Democratic Party. Unfortunately, that is
politics as usual.
His misstatements of fact and accusatory rhetoric --
essentially charging Republicans with being corrupt for expressing disagreement
on policy -- should be condemned by members of both parties.
But first, let’s look at some facts:
Despite statements to the contrary, Growing Greener
is alive and well. Originally passed in 1999, and expanded again in 2002,
Growing Greener represents a 13-year, $1.24 billion investment in
conserving, protecting and restoring our environment and natural resources.
Over $700 million still remains to flow into Growing Greener between now and
2012. Growing Greener was first proposed by a Republican Governor, passed by a
Republican-controlled General Assembly and most importantly enacted with broad,
bipartisan support -- especially in the Senate.
To his credit, Governor Rendell has proposed an even
further expansion. Our concerns focus on whether it is prudent to borrow more
and more money, as well as how to pay off the debt. Rep. Rooney passes this
off by alleging that ‘fees’ will be paid by trash haulers and “polluters” -- who
does he think will ultimately pay these costs? Moreover, Rep. Rooney is
factually wrong in stating that all the Governor has asked is for the General
Assembly to approve a bond question. In fact, the Governor has also asked
legislators to approve an increase in fees and taxes by over $150 million a
year, once it’s fully phased in. Furthermore, the Governor’s plan would require
no legislation on how the bond proceeds would actually be spent.
What kind of message does Pennsylvania want to
send? To suggest that Pennsylvania is hemorrhaging manufacturing jobs because
Republicans oppose improving our quality of life (through new fees and taxes) --
and not because of the international economic climate and an already
anti-competitive tax structure – defies common sense. Are we sure we want to
call Pennsylvania manufacturers -- those who create the family sustaining jobs
we all want, who comply with and often exceed some of the most stringent
environmental compliance requirements in the nation, who time and again have
been recognized for environmental ingenuity and achievement -- “polluters”?
Are we sure we want to saddle that sector of our economy with the burden of
improving our cities and towns and protecting our watersheds, or is that
something we should all share in?
Legislators are elected to engage in thoughtful
policy debate and represent their constituents as best they can. Rep. Rooney’s
diatribe certainly does nothing to move that process forward.
Senator Mary Jo White (R-21) serves as the
chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.
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