PennFuture Blog
Ezra P. Thrush, Director of Government Affairs
2019-2020 Legislative Wrap-Up & 2021 Preview: Where Does the PA General Assembly Stand on Our Environment?
While advancing proactive, offensive, good environmental legislation remains a challenge in Harrisburg, PennFuture and partners killed, blocked, and bottled-up a host of anti-environmental and pro-fossil fuel bills and policies in the recent previous legislative session.
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PA General Assembly Wraps Up Annual Budget, Punts on Stimulus
Last week, the Pennsylvania General Assembly hammered out the final pieces of this year’s state budget, which began in late May when the Legislature passed a five-month stopgap budget package.
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Pennsylvania’s House Environmental Committee Approves Bill Removing DEP’s Authority to Enact Carbon Reduction Program
PennFuture is adamantly opposed to HB 2025 and frustrated with the legislators who voted to advance the bill to the full House floor for consideration.
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Pennsylvania General Assembly Punts on State Budget, Passes Stopgap Measure with Level Funding for Environmental and Conservation Priorities
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a five-month stopgap budget package to fund most of the state government through November 2020. Here is our analysis of what's in this short-term budget.
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Pennsylvania Legislators Send Deregulatory Bill to Wolf’s Desk
SB 327 seeks to undermine the regulatory authority of our agencies—environmental and other—that are tasked with safeguarding Pennsylvanians’ public health.
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PA House Leaders Push Bills to Thwart Environmental Protections, Attack Conservation Funding
Anti-environmental legislators in the Pennsylvania General Assembly are using the COVID-19 public health crisis as a cover to move bills to block any proposed or final environmental regulations and to attack dedicated environmental and conservation funds.
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The Dangers of Senate Bill 790
This bill aims to revive the conventional gas drilling industry, but at the expense of undoing years of regulations.
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Pennsylvania State Budget Turns Blind Eye to Environment
PennFuture's Director of Policy recaps the recently-passed state budget and how it impacts the environment.
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Final Farm Bill Signed into Law Marks Big Win for Conservation
PennFuture's Policy Director explains how the bill will impact people across the state.
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Legislative Session Closes with Significant Environmental Fight
An update from PennFuture's Director of Policy Ezra P. Thrush.
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State Budget Headed in the Right Direction for Environment
For the first time in years, environmental agencies will not see budget cuts.
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Protect Your Forests: 2018 Farm Bill Update
Fighting for an equitable Farm Bill and what's to come.
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A New Role as Policy Director
The latest blog from Ezra P. Thrush, who recently was named PennFuture's new Director of Policy. He previously served as the organization's Campaign Manager for Watershed Advocacy.
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Public Engagement is Key to Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Goals
A look at PennFuture's work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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2018 Work is Key to Reaching State's Clean Water Goals
A look at PennFuture's current work in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
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Chesapeake Bay Efforts Headed in Right Direction for 2018
A look at our recent work in cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.
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How Pending Federal Appropriations Might Affect Chesapeake Bay Watershed
A look at the potential impact on the watershed.
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Farmers & Clean Water Need State Lawmaker Leadership on Funding Priorities
PennFuture visits Ag Progress Days this week, with new reports from Ezra Thrush.
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We Are All the Watershed: Ag Progress Days in Happy Valley
PennFuture's Campaign Manager for Watershed Advocacy reports from Ag Progress Days.
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