HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, Wednesday said he is drafting legislation that would enable the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps to continue providing important water-monitoring and environmental education services across the Commonwealth.
“No funding was provided in the budget for the Corps, and it soon will have to begin shutting down programs it operates in 52 counties,” said George, majority chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “While my legislation will focus on finding funding to keep the group operating through the end of the fiscal year, I think the Corps’ record of service shows it to be deserving of annual funding.”
George noted that both the House and the Senate in May approved resolutions commending the Corps on its 10-year anniversary. The resolutions saluted the group’s 2,900 members who provide more than 37,400 hours annually — volunteer work valued at more than $8 million — monitoring water quality at 628 sites.
“It would seem a tad disingenuous to pull the plug on such a worthwhile and cost-effective group four months later,” George said in a letter to House colleagues seeking cosponsors for his legislation.
More information on the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps is available online.