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PA State Grange Supports SB881 |
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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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October 26, 2005 |
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PA State Grange Legislative Director
Brenda Shambaugh presented testimony yesterday before the Senate
Majority Policy
Committee supporting Senator
Jeffrey Piccola's Senate Bill 881.
Ms. Shambaugh opened by
telling the committee, "Last weekend at our annual convention the
delegates from local Granges across the
Commonwealth passed the
following resolution:"
"WHEREAS, recent decisions by the Supreme Court concerning eminent
domain appear to encroach upon the rights of individual property
owners; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Pennsylvania State Grange oppose a municipality
using eminent domain to acquire property not needed for its services;
and be it further
RESOLVED, that a municipality may not sell or give any property
acquired by eminent domain to nay individual, group of individuals,
corporation or other government entity."
She continued, "For this
reason we [The PA State Grange] endorse SB881, sponsored by Senator
Jeff Piccola. We believe that the PA State Legislature has the
responsibility to pass legislation giving property owners greater
protection from eminent domain, and we are thankful that Senator
Piccola has taken the initiative to introduce the Property Rights
Protection Act."
The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of the American quality of life 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 20,000 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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