McClinton applauds governor for taking action to protect Pennsylvanians from severe flooding caused by climate change
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton December 3, 2020 | 10:58 AM
With an increasing number of Pennsylvanians falling victim to severe flooding, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is joining Gov. Tom Wolf and other state leaders in demanding action to address climate change.
"Perpetual flooding sparked by climate change continues crippling this commonwealth, and I won't sit idly by as the homes and businesses of my neighbors in Southwest Philly, Delco and across Pennsylvania are left picking up the pieces," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "Just this week, my communities had to contend with severe weather and even the threat of a tornado. The fact is we have the power to protect our neighborhoods and prevent further damage."
McClinton joined Wolf for a virtual news conference yesterday, where he announced a plan to address flood hazard mitigation by requiring the State Planning Board to develop a series of recommendations and best practices relative to land use, planning, zoning and stormwater management, with the emphasis on reducing the incidence of flash flooding in communities that impacts residents and businesses. The State Planning Board will establish state goals and strategic investments to assist municipalities, which will then be incorporated by state agencies into their appropriate funding applications.
"I applaud the governor for taking these steps to get Pennsylvania on the right track," explained McClinton. "As the new House Democratic leader, I am committed to working with my colleagues in this new legislative session to build on these measures by working to enact a commonsense severance tax that supports critical safety protocols like flood mitigation plans and flood walls, along with a sustainable disaster relief fund."
State Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Phila./Delaware, the director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development also participated in the event.
More details about this climate change initiative can be found here.