Letters: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative needed in Pa.; What are Corman and Benninghoff afraid of?
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative needed in Pa.
On June 16th, I joined hundreds of Pennsylvanians “in Harrisburg” for PennEnvironment’s virtual Climate Action Lobby Day to advocate for renewable energy policies that can help mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
One thing I talked to my state representative about was Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a bipartisan, multistate effort to reduce power sector carbon emissions through “cap-and-invest.” Pennsylvania could use the projected hundreds of millions of dollars in annual proceeds to bolster its economy and expand clean energy that would fight climate change, lower air pollution and benefit every Pennsylvanian.
Although Pennsylvania is poised to join RGGI, the process may be in jeopardy. There is currently a group of anti-RGGI lawmakers who are trying to prevent Pennsylvania from joining RGGI because it would slow down production from dirty coal-fired power plants. The legislators are pushing through HB 2025 and SB 950 which would require legislative approval instead of allowing Gov. Wolf to use his authority to join RGGI. These actions are detrimental to Pennsylvania’s climate and economic future, and cannot be allowed to progress.
I would like to say thank you to my legislator, Rep. Scott Conklin, for supporting climate legislation to transition to renewable energy by cosponsoring legislation, and hope that he will continue to be invested in our climate future.
What are Corman and Benninghoff afraid of?
The Fair Districts volunteers have done what they can do. Now it’s up to people like Senator Corman and Representative Benninghoff to show they really do listen to the voters, and really do support Fair Districts, like they smile and say they do.
Fair Districts legislation (Acts HB 22 and 23, and SB 1022 and 1023) have more co-sponsors in Harrisburg than any other legislation over the last two years. Plus, 67% of surveyed voters say they’d vote for a constitutional amendment to create an independent citizens’ redistricting commission. Resolutions in 356 townships and 23 counties, two-thirds with Republican majorities, support Fair Districts. The citizen votes are there. Now it’s time for our representatives to move these bills out of committee and to the floor for a vote.
Senator Jake Corman, majority leader, dawdles and says “We’re waiting on the House.”
Representative Kerry Benninghoff, newly promoted promoted majority leader, says “I continue to be open to these ideas on gerrymandering.”
What exactly does it take to get action? Fair Districts has a groundswell of grassroots support from voters, incumbents, challengers, across party lines and across municipal and county governments.
What are Corman and Benninghoff afraid of?
We need our reps to do their job. End the delays. Or just try to explain to voters why you let four years go by and still did nothing on this reform.
Senator Corman and Representative Benninghoff: Show some leadership and let the bills come to a vote so we can know where you really stand.
Thankful for police work on drug bust
I’d like to thank and commend local and state police officers for their efforts in bringing down and arresting the many individuals involved in operating the methamphetamine distribution in our area. The cooperation between various police precincts in investigating and coordinating these arrests should be praised. Eliminating these drug dealings and keeping these harmful substances out of our communities is also a way to keep peace in our neighborhoods and eliminate tragic outcomes between law enforcement and individuals so high on drugs they act violently and irrational when confronted. We cannot defund or abolish our police forces. We need their protection and help to keep all members of our society safe.