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For information contact: Carl Meiss, Public Relations Director Ph: (717)-234-5001 or (800)-552-3865 Email: publicrelations@pagrange.org |
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July 1, 2005 |
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The Pennsylvania State Grange is pleased with the actions of the General Assembly this week concerning the passage of HB 1646. This legislation gives the PA
Attorney General the authority to strike local ordinances that unlawfully restrict agriculture. The legislation is an attempt to combat the more than 70 ordinances that
illegally restrict agriculture with more stringent standards than state law allows. According to Brenda Shambaugh, Legislative Director of the PA State Grange,
“The passage of this legislation is the culmination of nearly two years of negotiations between the Grange, other farm groups, the Administration, and the PA
General Assembly. We are thrilled to finally have a law that will assist farmers who want to expand their operation and are thwarted by illegal ordinances.” Up to
this point the only recourse farmers had was to take the township to court, which is both costly and time consuming.
“We thank the members of the General Assembly, particularly Representatives Art Hershey (R-Chester), Peter Daley (D-Washington), and Jerry Stern (R-Blair)
for their leadership,” stated PA State Grange President Betsy Huber. “We are assured by the PA Attorney General that he will act quickly to review questionable
ordinances and make a determination on their legality.” The legislation requires that the Attorney General respond within 120 days. The Grange looks forward to
the rapid passage of this legislation in the Senate and its final approval by the Governor.
The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship. The
Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-24), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community
(Local) members (age 14 and up). The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. It is the oldest agricultural and rural
organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State
Grange was chartered in 1873.
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