Berks County News

Last week, a significant financial move by the Pennsylvania Senate, backed by Governor Josh Shapiro, has stirred controversy. The Senate advanced a fiscal code that reallocates $150 million from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to fund Clean Streams. This decision has been criticized as a violation of both federal and state laws.

Rep. David Maloney expressed concerns about this action, stating, "I believe this to be a violation of federal law and Pennsylvania law." He emphasized that the PGC manages funds intended for sportsmen and sportswomen in Pennsylvania. Despite having issues with the PGC, he acknowledged its role as an independent agency tasked with maintaining hunting lands purchased with these funds.

The Senate's justification for this reallocation hinges on the claim that revenue from gas and oil leases on PGC-managed lands belongs to the state. However, Maloney argues that these lands were acquired using sportsmen’s money, which is why they are available for such leases.

This is not the first instance of financial reallocation in Pennsylvania raising legal questions. In 2021, courts ruled against the administration's transfer of $1.3 billion from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources lease money. Maloney questioned what might happen if similar actions were taken against sportsmen's funds.

A letter dated September 1 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service underscored potential consequences if license revenue is misused: "License revenue must be controlled by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and used only for the administration of the PGC... If PGC loses control...the Service may declare your agency to be in diversion."

Maloney plans to oppose this reallocation when it reaches the House but urges hunters and anglers across Pennsylvania to voice their opposition as well: "Every hunter and angler in Pennsylvania must unify and speak out strongly."