Jul. 01, 2022
HARRISBURG – Seeking to ease the financial burden of Pennsylvania residents paying a so-called “rain tax” resulting from federal environmental regulations, Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) is the sponsor of legislation to address the issue that is currently under consideration by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
House Bill 2153 would provide relief to local governments that have to comply with the federally mandated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) through the creation of a Municipal Storm Water Assistance Program. Under Boback’s proposal, the state program would be funded with $300 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
“Municipalities need access to funds so as to not levy these onerous ‘rain taxes’ on our constituents, who are already struggling to deal with high energy costs and out-of-control inflation,” Boback said. “So I am asking for American Rescue Plan dollars to help ease the strain. It is only logical that a federal mandate be paid for by federal funds.”
Boback’s bill was the focus of a recent public hearing conducted by the committee.