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| From our President |
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 Dear Friends:
The new year is a time for taking stock, for assessing accomplishments, reviewing results and making plans for the future. For me, this new year also brings a career change as I assume the presidency of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania.
I'm honored to have been chosen to serve in a leadership role for 10,000 Friends; it's an organization that I have long admired. ... MORE | |
| New Research Reports Available |
 Putting the Pieces Together
Citizens in York, St. Marys, Clearfield, Cameron County and the Lehigh Valley all have something in common. In each region, business and civic leaders have been working to promote regional cooperation as a way to strengthen economic development and unite communities. These case studies, prepared by 10,000 Friends and Pa. Economy League, demonstrate the ideals and the challenges these leaders face. ... MORE
Water and Growth
Infrastructure policies and investments strongly influence how our communities grow and develop. Water and Growth: Toward a Stronger Connection Between Water Supply and Land Use in Southeastern Pennsylvania shows that water supply infrastructure has expanded rapidly in the Philadelphia suburbs, outpacing population growth and supporting low-density development, despite substantial excess capacity in older communities. This new report, by 10,000 Friends, identifies the factors that contribute to inefficient water infrastructure investments and offers recommendations. ... MORE |
| Legislative Update |
2008 promises to be an exciting year legislatively. And in the last month of 2007, two important issues moved forward.
Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund Extended
First, the state's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund was extended with the Governor's signing of Senate Bill 1100. SB 1100 transfers $17 million to the Hazardous Site Cleanup Fund from legislative accounts for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2008. For fiscal years 2008-09 through 2010-2011, the bill allocates $40 million each year in existing revenues from the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax. This is good news and means that the fund will continue to be available to communities statewide to help deal with dangerous sites and emergency situations.
Bill Allowing Temporary Moratorium on Development Advances
House Bill 904, introduced by Rep. Bob Freeman, would allow municipalities to declare temporary moratoriums on development while they rewrite their land-use ordinances. The bill was reported out of the House Local Government Committee in December. "The bill takes a proactive approach to smart planning as opposed to the reactive approach of 'putting out fires' and attempting to tackle unsustainable development proposals," notes 10,000 Friends President Judy Schwank in a letter to the committee. ... MORE
To find your legislator and get copies of introduced legislation, visit the State General Assembly website. As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information.
10,000 Friends has produced a pocket-sized guide to our state leaders. If you need the 2007-08 Legislative Directory, please contact us at 10,000 Friends. |
| Good Reads |
Making a connection
A December 30, 2007 Harrisburg Patriot-News editorial notes that there has long been too much of a disconnect between county and municipal governments and school districts in Pennsylvania. Cumberland County Commissioner Rick Rovegno has a great idea with a proposal for a county commission that would bring them together on common issues. ... MORE
Diverse Butler County towns undertaking joint plan Try saying "multiple municipal comprehensive planning code" five times fast. That's not a problem among those in a coalition of five Butler County towns whose planners say the tongue twister could be a smart-growth savior. ... MORE
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As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information. |
| 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania |
 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders. Visit our website.  The Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania (RenewPA) is an initiative of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. RenewPA is dedicated to building partnerships and coalitions to improve the competitiveness of our regional economies, and the health and quality of life of our communities. Visit our website to learn more. | |
