The state Senate has approved a new name for a state agency.
The Senate passed a bill that would rename the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Environmental Services.
Republican Senator Gene Yaw explains the name change.
“The word ‘protection’ carries a law enforcement or security connotation, rather than that of an environmental resource and partner to the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Yaw said. “Unfortunately, enforcer has become the prevalent view of the department.”
The new change didn’t receive unanimous support though.
“I don’t know that changing the name of anything changes the culture,” Democratic Senator Carolyn Comitta said. “Culture change comes from within and with staff. One of the necessary culture changes within the department is that they need staff. Every year we’ve heard about drastic funding cuts to the department and the lack of staffing.”
The bill now goes to the state house.
