Game Commission Supports Reps. George and Levdansky for Efforts to Secure Alternative...

Game Commission Supports Reps. George and Levdansky for Efforts to Secure
Alternative Funding

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Game
Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today offered support to legislation
sponsored by Rep. Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield) and supported by Rep.
David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) that would provide an alternative source of
funding for the state's wildlife management agency.

Under Rep. George's amendment to House Bill 1489, which he also sponsored, the
Game Commission would receive two percent of the state privilege tax on every
producer who severs natural gas. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 20-6.
The bill then was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee, which is chaired by Rep. George, by a vote of 15-11, and
referred to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.

"Since its creation in 1895, hunters and trappers have footed the bill for the
wildlife management achievements of the Game Commission through their license
dollars," Roe said. "However, without a license fee increase since 1999,
revenues for the agency have been outpaced by the costs of meeting the needs,
demands and expectations of both the wildlife and general public we serve.

"Rep. George has long been a leader in the environmental recovery efforts, and
we appreciate his leadership on this proposal. We also note that Rep.
Levdansky, who worked with Rep. George on this amendment, has been a champion
for several sessions of the need to secure alternative sources of funding the
Game Commission, rather than continue to ask hunters and trappers to shoulder
the entire financial burden that the agency has to manage all wild birds and
mammals and their habitats for current and future generations."

Roe encouraged the House Rules Committee to schedule House Bill 1489 for
consideration, so that the measure can continue through the legislative
process.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases
via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and
the name of the organization you represent to: PGCNews@state.pa.us.

For Information Contact:
Jerry Feaser
717-705-6541
PGCNews@state.pa.us

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission

Jerry Feaser of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, +1-717-705-6541,
PGCNews@state.pa.us