Environmental Justice w/ PLBC

Policy Committee    October 5, 2022

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – At a joint hearing before the House Democratic Policy Committee and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, testifiers pointed to specific ways state government can refocus its efforts on environmental justice and racial equity in order to help communities. Testifiers and legislators said these efforts must include a focus on working class neighborhoods, which many times are plagued by environmental concerns, decreasing property values, a lack of fair representation in the decision-making process and other issues.  

Host + Testifiers

• Hosts: Rep. Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia), Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus
• Testifiers:
  • Nathan Walker, Acting Policy Director, PennDOT
  • Nicole Tyler, Director of Equitable Transportation, PennDOT
  • Anthony David, Student, Harrisburg University
  • Rafiyqa Muhammad, Co-founder, Ngozi Inc.
  • Maurice Sampson, Eastern Pennsylvania Director, Clean Water Action
  • Dr. Jamil Bey, PhD, Founder/CEO, UrbanKind Institute
  • Veronica Coptis, Executive Director, Center for Coalfield Justice
  • Ashley Funk, Executive Director, Mountain Watershed Association

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and list of participants: Environmental Justice

Media Release + News Coverage

• State government should refocus its efforts on environmental justice, October 5, 2022
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star, ‘Tired of talking’: Advocates call on Legislature to address environmental justice issues, October 5, 2022
• Erie News Now, PA Dems Host Hearing on Environmental Justice, Community Members Weigh In, October 5, 2022

Photos

• Click here to view photos from this hearing
• Click here to view the entire hearing