More Cuts Proposed for PADEP*
According to a memorandum sent to all Department Secretaries at the close of business today, the Governor has provided a breakdown of the additional 1,000 state furloughs necessary in the event the General Assembly doesn't pass casino table games legislation. The memorandum shows PADEP having to furlough an additional 31 out of 1,647 General Fund positions. I put the asterisk in the title for this post because I don't think these cuts will happen. Table games legislation will be passed because the alternative (additional cuts) is unthinkable. While I can understand the need to demonstrate the seriousness of the problem, I think the Department has experienced enough stress as a result of the most recent budget shortfall and ensuing furloughs. At some point, the leadership in Harrisburg has to acknowledge that the people at PADEP perform an invaluable and necessary public function -- protecting the environment -- and start looking to other less critical areas for filling potential budget gaps. We'll all the pay the price if PADEP is weakened any further.
