Conservation Voters of PA
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Friend –
Governor Shapiro is giving his first budget address tomorrow, and it’s a key moment for him to demonstrate strong leadership on the environment!
We know the governor shares our values on issues like climate change, environmental justice, and democracy. But many in the legislature will be pressuring him to think smaller. The climate crisis isn’t waiting – we need our Governor to make bold changes NOW.
There’s so much at stake. Pennsylvania has been far too reliant on fossil fuels for decades and it’s wreaking havoc on our communities. Our poor air quality means children and seniors suffer from more respiratory issues, our economy is lagging behind the transition to clean energy while our pocketbooks suffer, and we’re contributing to wild weather patterns and the worsening climate crisis.
Pennsylvanians need to speak up now and make sure Governor Shapiro hears loud and clear that his budget must finally put a stop to handouts to the fossil fuel industry and make historic investments in clean energy. If he hears enough positive pressure, we can encourage him to follow a path that’s best for our communities today and our children and grandchildren tomorrow.
Send a message to Governor Shapiro ahead of his budget address now [[link removed]]
Cutting taxpayer handouts to the fossil fuel industry and using those dollars to invest in a clean energy future is one of our most urgent priorities, but it’s not the only one. We’re highlighting four more critical priorities:

1. Pennsylvania has missed out on nearly a BILLION dollars because of a court battle over our participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state clean energy consortium. We need Governor Shapiro to ensure that these eventual proceeds are spent on the people who need them most - workers who need training for clean energy jobs and people in environmental justice communities who have been breathing the most polluted air due to our toxic industries.

2. The number of trained state workers who are in the field monitoring the fossil fuel industry and protecting us against accidents has declined due to budget cuts over the years. It’s only a question of when, not if, a tragedy like we saw in East Palestine happens in Pennsylvania if we continue to underfund the Department of Environmental Protection. Governor Shapiro must continue his predecessor's work to reverse budget cuts of the last decade and bring the agency back up to full staffing levels so that we can protect our communities from leaks and disasters.

3. Voter turnout has soared in the last two presidential elections, and we have more ways to vote than ever before. But the counties that administer our elections are underfunded and overworked – and oftentime under attack by extremists. The governor must allocate the funding that counties need to ensure every person who wants to register to vote and every voter who wants to cast a ballot can.

4. Lastly, the federal government is making historic investments in clean energy, clean water, and clean air through President Biden’s Clean Energy Program. But in many cases, it’s up to states and municipalities to obtain these resources. We’re urging Governor Shapiro to ensure the state and all 67 counties get the information they need to take advantage of these funds before they run out.

Friend, I know we can get Governor Shapiro’s attention if we speak out loudly together – but time is short. If there’s one thing you do this month for our clean energy future, make this be your time for action – it could make a big difference.
Send your messages calling for these environmental and environmental justice priorities in the state budget. [[link removed]]
Thanks for all that you do.
Katie Blume
Political & Legislative Director
Conservation Voters of PA
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Conservation Voters of PA
P.O. Box 2125
Philadelphia, PA 19103
United States