The governor keeps saying Pennsylvania ought to get its share of federal farm assistance. The federal budget and the farm relief bill are both still up in the air, and the past few years show that those negotiations and deliberations could drag on well into October or beyond. Volatile milk prices, rising input costs and, in many cases a 100 percent crop loss, are a knockout combination. As to the water supply, already Pennsylvanians across the state are having problems with their wells and creek beds drying up and there is no sign of relief in sight. The adequacy of the Philadelphia water system may be threatened in the near future.
Water supply is already an ongoing concern in a Greene County school where water is unavailable.
A clean and adequate water supply is essential to the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians. The state has run up budget surpluses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars each of the last three years. We have the resources to assist with the immediate and meaningful relief of this emergency situation. The House Democratic Policy Committee heard testimony on the drought Monday and today in Harrisburg from witnesses including farmers, fire and emergency management officials and water supply officials. As you are aware, Pennsylvania is experiencing the worst drought in recent times.