Pennsylvania Votes Forum

 I am most concerned about the passage of a bill that would cut funding for our most vulnerable and innocent citizens, the mentally retarded as well as those with autism.  Having a 38 year old brother with Downs' Syndrome, I have seen how he benefits from the waiver that allows him to live in a lovely home with two roommates and pursue a life as normal as possible.

The only voice that these individuals have  belongs to those who advocate for them.  I would hope that our senators would rethink the passage of this bill and vote against it.

 Where is the courage, wisdom and compassion that helped create this great Commonwealth.   Reconsider Senate Bill 850 and do the right thing; repeal it.  Don't try to balance the budget on the backs of those who cannot fight back. 

I am a mental health consumer and advocate.   The other day I was at the County Board of Advisor Monthly Meeting in which focused on the State Budget concerning Mental Health issues and Youth services (like the STAR program in our County).   Things in general look very bleak due to the State Budget Monies directed to all counties acrossed Pennsylvania brought about by Act 850.   We are pressed because over all there is a 4% cut acrossed the board in these funds.  And yet these 2 groups can not defend these services and I am sure there are other groups in the same boat.   I wish to say simply, why does the State wish to cut sevices to these so important groups?   As far as the Youth are concerned, this will only create problems in our communities.   Problems such as more drugs and a lack of responible education, and placement of these youth that such a program can help?   What does our society in Pennsylvania want?  Is our youth not important?  This act will only lead to a worse situation that all ready exists.  I plead with the State Legislature to kick this back to the Senate unpassed.

I am particularly outraged because this legislation eliminates the Governor's African American Advisory Commission, which I know has helped several people wade through the mess that is our state government in order to access services that they need. They, and the other ethnic commissions, play a vital role in delivering information and services to the people and help this democracy operate in the manner it should.

The PA Bureau of Forestry's Response to Senate's Budget Would Put All at Risk 

In response to the possibility of Senate Bill 850 being enacted, the Bureau of Forestry responded by stating, "DCNR would likely remove state forest rangers who serve as the primary contact for visitors and who promote safety and enforce the law on forestlands."

What is Harrisburg thinking?  Why did Gretchen Leslie's official press release identify the rangers in this program as "forest rangers"?  Are they trying to cover up the fact that they are talking about the Bureau of Forestry's DCNR Rangers? 

And, why is the Bureau so eager to send these DCNR Rangers to slaughter?  Why are they minimizing the importance of these dedicated men and women by stating they are simply "forest rangers who serve as the primary contact for visitors" and not emphasizing the specialized law enforcement, medical services, rescue operations, search and rescue and ATV and snowmobile enforcement these DCNR Rangers perform?

I understand the Bureau of Forestry wants to portray the state forests as a safe, beautiful haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Pennsylvanians and tourists alike, but think about it - it is safe because of the Forest Rangers?  No, the Forest Rangers no longer exist.  However, it is safe because of the DCNR Rangers.  Is this a ploy – a way to minimize public concern, and eliminate the DCNR Rangers without alerting the public to the possible ramifications these actions will cause.  Is the Bureau of Forestry taking the opportunity to remove the DCNR Rangers under the guise of complying with the budget?  Is it being hidden from the public, the very public who's outcry under the Ridge Administration called for the DCNR Ranger Program in the Bureau of Forestry?

The DCNR Rangers are an elite group of highly trained law enforcement specialists, not a group of tour guides handing out maps and smiling in their campaign hats.  Are they the primary contact for visitors?  Yes, however, they are also the primary contact for visitors in trouble!

The Bureau has a policy – the Rangers are silent professionals.  They do not appear in the media, partake in interviews, or talk about the incidents they handle.  They are not credit seeking, media hungry peacocks, and the public would be hard-pressed to find information, pictures or details of the lifesaving efforts and highly dangerous law enforcement activities these DCNR Rangers perform.

The DCNR Ranger's primary responsibilities include:

• Public contact work
• Enforcement of state forest rules and regulations, including snowmobile and ATV laws, Fish and Game Laws, Vehicle Code and Crimes Code on state forestland and prosecution of any person in violation.

They issue traffic and non-traffic citations, file citations and criminal complaints, collect evident, obtain search warrants, and conduct interviews and interrogations.  They patrol in vehicles, on foot, bicycle, ATV, snowmobile, Snow Cats, or boat.  Patrol is performed seven days a week and Rangers respond to emergencies when called out anytime of the day or night in any weather conditions.

Their education is extensive; they are required to be familiar with all functions of the Bureau of Forestry, including timber management, insects and disease, fire protection and recreation.  Rangers are Act 120 certified, trained in the use of defensive weapons, such as firearms, batons, OC spray and handcuffs.  They continuously train and participate in re-certifications and qualifications on an annual basis.

They deal with threatening confrontations, administer first aid, and perform all forms of water and ice rescue, high angle/low angle rope rescue and Wilderness rescue.

They investigate accidents with ATVs and snowmobiles, provide emergency services with relation to these accidents, and conduct wildfire suppression.  The DCNR Ranger organizers and conducts search and rescue operations and must maintain physical fitness, strength and stamina to work under varying climatic conditions, including rough or uneven terrain in daylight and dark.

In other words, the Ranger is required to work in the most challenging conditions deep in the forest, on roads and paths unfamiliar to other law enforcement or rescue personnel such as municipal police, state police or emergency medical services.

I can understand why the Bureau wants to keep incidents such as ATV accidents, lost persons, illegal drug activities, rapes and homicides quiet.  Why put fear into the public and keep them away from enjoying camping, hiking, hunting and many other activities the forest has to offer? 

However, just imagine this scenario:  You are camping on state forestland with your family, and your child wanders away, but now, there are no longer DCNR Rangers in the Bureau of Forestry.  How will local police or state police respond?  How many emergency services personnel will it take to make up one qualified DCNR Ranger?  The DCNR Rangers know the lay of the land, they have the proper training, equipment and gear, the proper vehicles to access the forests and the knowledge and skills to complete their rescue efforts, and provide medical attention if necessary.  How many municipal police, state police or ambulance personnel do you know that can complete a task like this?

The DCNR Ranger functions as your police, fire and ambulance for the state forest all in one.  DCNR Rangers know the forest, they know the dangers, it is what they are trained to do. 

Will our new slogan become visit PA, at your own risk?

 I couldn't agree more.  Several years ago one of these Rangers saved my freinds life.  My freind was missing on the first day of deer season.  He was missing for a whole day.  Several local and state agencies were there.  It was a big cluster for a whole day and night.  My buddy was alone in the cold dark rain all night.  The next day a DCNR Forest Ranger was called.  He organized the search and found my 70 year old friend alive the next day.  He would have died if it wasn't for this man.  I'm in a hunting and fishing club with nearly 300 active members.  We are currently writting letters to our local representatives.  IF this outrage happens....we will never support DCNR again.

Scarnati Challenges DCNR Statement on State Budget, Threat to Close Parks

Brockway – State Senator Joe Scarnati today questioned several assertions from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources regarding the impact of the Senate-passed state budget plan for 2009-2010, and called on DCNR to tone down its rhetoric.

“Citizens have, sadly, come to expect some exaggeration from state agencies seeking additional tax dollars. But the claims made by DCNR are over the line,” said Senator Scarnati. “Citizens understand that the struggling economy and declining revenues mean the state has to spend less or raise taxes. The budget passed by the Senate chooses to spend less.”

Senator Scarnati questioned the following assertions made by DCNR regarding the 2009-2010 budget approved by the Senate (Senate Bill 850):

Funding DCNR

Senate Bill 850 appropriates approximately $19 million less for the DCNR budget than proposed by the Governor.  DCNR recently failed to successfully close two bids for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling on state forest land that would have realized approximately $31 million for the budget. It could also consider leasing additional state forest lands for Marcellus Shale gas development -- or use $7 million set aside for a carbon sequestration project – to offset budget cuts.

Closing State Parks

Acting DCNR Secretary John Quigley recently announced that 35 state parks would be closed as a result of the reduced state spending in SB 850. How was that number arrived at? How many parks would close under the Governor’s proposed budget, which cuts state park funding by 4.5 percent? Senator Mary Jo White (21st District), who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, has requested this information from DCNR. Until it is released, the department should refrain from such threats.

Gypsy Moth Spraying

DCNR claims that SB 850 will expose 40,000 acres of forest to gypsy moths. But the bill allocates $4.387 million for spraying – the same amount authorized by the Governor for the current year. The department should provide the information supporting its threat, or withdraw it.

Seedlings for Sale

DCNR claims its program which sells tree seedlings to landowners would be eliminated under SB 850. Has the department considered pricing the seedlings to reflect the true cost of the program, rather than relying on a taxpayer subsidy? Has it considered utilizing money from the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the Key ’93 Fund, or other funds at the department’s discretion to augment this program?

“These are just a few of the gaping holes in DCNR’s claims, which unfortunately amount to raw, political scare tactics,” said Scarnati. “To be successful, the budget process must be conducted in good faith, especially when we’re trying to close a $3 billion deficit without increasing the burden on taxpayers. Scaring citizens is unproductive and plain wrong. I hope DCNR tones down the rhetoric and works with the Legislature to pass a responsible state budget.”

  I am extremely concered about Senate Bill 850 eliminating ALL funding for epilepsy services in PA. I wish I could speak with the senators about this in person on June 10, but unfortunately, because of epilepsy, I would be endangering my life by going into the capitol building. I have photosensitive seizures and flourescent lights are one of my most provocative triggers. I'm on the maximum dosage of the only two medications for my seizure type (complex partial) that I'm not allergic too, so my seizure cannot and will not be stopped with medication.

My son started having seizures on January 17, 2005, at the age of 23.  He was driving to work and the next thing he knew he was in an ambulance.  He had crashed his truck while having a seizure.  A tumor was discovered in the center of his brain.  Several months later he had another seizure.  Surgery was done and the tumor was removed.  However, the doctors have diagnosed him with epilepsy caused by damage from the tumor.  He seems to have a seizure every six months or so (that he is sure of), but has mentioned he thinks he has had others at home.  These are grand mal seizures.  He is on medication three times a day, but obviously has these break-through seizures.  He is a very intelligent young man, yet at times his memory is very poor because of the epilepsy.  He knows things that blow my mind, yet sometimes he will have trouble with a simple task.  I have recently become familiar with the Epilepsy Foundation in Pittsburgh, PA, and see they are working on some very interesting research.  Funding for epilepsy is desparately needed.  Don't let them cut it.  Contact your local Representative, your Senator, and anyone else who could assist in keeping this funding going. 

 I work in DCNR, any park could take a 10% hit and you would hardly notice.

There is no reason  to close parks.

Suggestions for DCNR, you could get close to 25% by.

Discontinue the lightguards in the lakes, do like Ohio, swim at your own risk.

Maybe also close pools. Saves lifeguard pays and supplies for the pool.

Cut out some summer help, and use year round help to clean bathrooms and cut grass.

Buy less supplies for a while, hold off repairing building for a while.

We don't have to have nature centers open, there are nice but we don't need them open.

Cut back on rangers, and summer clerks.

Use the year round rangers for campgrounds. Campgrounds make money.

These changes would easlly wack 25% off the budget and keep all the parks open.

Keep Yellow Creek open