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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Elisabeth ‘Lisa’ Bennington |
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Bennington applauds agreement to fund HSCF
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 17 – State Rep. Lisa Bennington is applauding a compromise plan to fund the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund that has been passed by the state House. Bennington said the measure would protect nearly 150 jobs and ensure that the program, which responds to environmental threats, continues.
Bennington, D-Allegheny, said immediate action was critical to keeping the program operational beyond Jan. 1, when the vital funding was slated to end.
Senate Bill 1100 would secure funds for the program through 2011. The legislation would provide funding from legislative leaders’ accounts and then from the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax in future years.
“Supporting this agreement was the right thing to do,” Bennington said. “Furloughing 146 of these crucial DEP employees was not an acceptable option for me – in addition to the possible harmful environmental consequences at the state’s hazardous sites.”
Bennington said HSCF protects and revitalizes Pennsylvania communities by cleaning up toxic waste sites and other environmental public health hazards.
The bill is now on its way to the governor’s desk for his signature.
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |