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Without enough funding, DEP cannot do its job
Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic&rdquo; was the phrase that came to mind as I read the article &ldquo;DEP reorganizes regulation of Pa.&rsquo;s drilling boom&rdquo; on The Times Leader&rsquo;s website (Sept. 19).
Although I appreciate Secretary Michael Krancer&rsquo;s attempt to improve the state Department of Environmental Protection, the fact remains that this department&rsquo;s budget has been decimated in recent years.
The budget signed by Gov. Tom Corbett in June dropped DEP&rsquo;s state funding to $135 million &ndash; $10 million less than last year and $65 million less than 2006/2007.
Former DEP Secretary John Hanger recently stated that &ldquo;DEP cannot do its mission reasonably&rdquo; with a budget below $170 million. 
There has been about a 10 percent cut in DEP staff over the past five years -- a decrease from 2,911 positions in 2006 to 2,610 positions in 2010. In February, Gov. Corbett proposed the elimination of 69 more positions. 
I have spoken with DEP personnel charged with regulating Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling and they tell me they need more help: more oil and gas inspectors, more water quality and solid waste specialists and more staff for air permitting and sampling. 
In addition to rearranging the deck chairs of the DEP, Gov. Corbett needs to restore DEP&rsquo;s funding to a reasonable level.

State Rep. Greg Vitali

Member, House Environmental Resources
 and Energy Committee
Havertown
Change U.S. tax policy for the common good
Today, more than at any time in our country&rsquo;s history, the wealthiest members of our society enjoy the lowest tax burdens. A congressional &ldquo;super committee&rdquo; has been formed to recommend changes in tax policy.
 The committee is made up of six Republicans and six Democrats. Members have two paths they can pursue: one placing more burden and hardship on the least among us in order to continue privileged tax breaks for the very rich, and another that promotes the common good of all citizens, especially middle class and poor families struggling in these difficult economic times. U.S. Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania is a select member of that committee.
Six members of the group, including Sen. Toomey, have pledged not to change the system of taxation. They essentially have made a promise not to set up fair standards of taxation for mega-corporations, millionaires and billionaires. 
The U.S. Catholic Bishops in a recent Labor Day statement said: &ldquo;A just framework also requires shared sacrifice by all, which includes raising adequate revenues.&rdquo;
There needs to be a mechanism in our economy that upholds values and policies that stop the scandalous growing gap between the affluent few and the vast majority, whose members are struggling to keep a job, find essential medical care, pay their mortgages and send their children to college. Revenues from taxation also are necessary to put people back to work through job creation. 
The refusal of six members of the super committee to change tax policies raises the interests of the most financially blessed and powerful above the common good. Our nation needs to embrace a positive path forward that puts the common good above the self-interest of the privileged few.
We are challenged to uphold Jesus&rsquo; Sermon on the Mount by caring for those who hunger and thirst for justice and a dignified standard of living.

Rev. William B. Pickard

Scranton
Writer lauds new process for filling county posts
As Luzerne County transitions to a home rule-style government there will be many new and needed changes. One change that I am excited about and want to inform the public about is that now all openings for the various authorities, boards and commissions need to be publicly advertised. 
This new process set forth in the home rule charter allows all residents to have an equal opportunity to apply for these positions &ndash; for which previously there typically was no advertising, no interviewing and obtaining an appointment seemed primarily about whom you knew.
The authorities, boards and commissions (ABCs) play a very important role in Luzerne County. There are nearly 30 ABCs, ranging from the Joint Airport Board to the Luzerne County Community College Board of Trustees to the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority. Major decisions will come out of these groups, and that is why it is not only critical to have qualified individuals serve on the new county council, but also to have well-qualified individuals, rather than political appointees, serve on these ABCs. 
The county is accepting applications for present vacancies. Advertisements have been placed in the area newspapers and residents can obtain an application online and forward it to the address listed below.
 The application process is described under section 7.05 of the home rule charter. Please note that all individuals currently serving on these authorities, boards and commissions will serve out their required terms as stated in section 8.02 of the charter.
As someone who helped to write the home rule charter and is involved with the home rule transition, I truly believe that this new, transparent process for soliciting and selecting qualified applicants from the public will increase involvement in county government, broaden the knowledge base of the ABCs and bring new perspective. As Luzerne County steps out of the &ldquo;business as usual&rdquo; mode of closed door meetings and backroom handshakes and moves forward into a home rule government that recognizes qualifications and openness over political relationships, I encourage the residents of Luzerne County to consider their experiences and qualifications and to apply for these openings now and in the future.
Luzerne County Authorities, Boards and Commissions:
Agriculture Board, Area Agency on Aging, Board of Elections and Registration, Board of Tax Assessment Appeals, Children and Youth, Commission for Women, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee, Conservation District, Diversity Commission, Drug and Alcohol, Forty Fort Airport Advisory Board, Housing Authority, Industrial Development Authority, Joint Airport Board, Luzerne County Community College Board of Trustees, Levee Raising Project Mitigation Board, Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, Luzerne County Municipal Cooperation Commission, Luzerne County Open Space and Recreation Feasibility Study, Luzerne-Wyoming Counties MH/MR Program Advisory Board, Northeastern PA Hospital and Higher Education Authority, Planning Commission, Redevelopment Authority, Retirement Board, Tourist Promotion Agency, Transportation Authority, Workforce Investment Board and Zoning Hearing Board.
 Applications are available at www.luzernecounty.org/county/home-rule-transition.
Please send completed applications to: County Manager Doug Pape, ATTN: ABC Applicant Form, Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-1001

Rick Morelli 

Member, Luzerne County
 Transition Committee
and
Candidate, Luzerne County Council
Sugarloaf Township
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Without enough funding, DEP cannot do its job Rearranging the