Editorial criticized
After reading your latest editorial “Harrisburg playing politics with state parks,” I want to urge the Herald-Standard to get its fact straight. Placing the blame on the threat to close state parks with the Senate is misplaced. I did not tell DCNR to prepare a list of state parks for closure; rather, I challenged their alarmist threat to close parks in response to Senate passage of a budget bill that did not raise taxes and actually cuts spending as so many Pennsylvanians are demanding.
Gov. Rendell has no doubt used the state parks as pawns to support higher taxes and increased spending.
As we have since learned, you cannot really “close” a state park.
Parks will remain open, regardless of the budget. What we are talking about is whether some parks may see reduced services (grass cutting, delayed maintenance, fewer staff). To help alleviate these concerns, I have introduced legislation that would give DCNR discretion to use some of its special funds to maintain services at state parks. These funds receive money from landfill fees and realty transfer taxes.
Ensuring the continued operation of our state parks should be DCNR’s top priority.
Visitors to state parks deserve nothing less.
Mary Jo White
Chairman Senate
Environmental Resources
& Energy Committee