Posted: | April 30, 2024 09:37 AM |
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From: | Senator Gene Yaw and Sen. Judith L. Schwank |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Rural Population Revitalization Commission |
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania in conjunction with Penn State Harrisburg's Institute of State and Regional Affairs released a report projecting population for the next 30 years. The projections indicate that by 2050, the population within rural counties is expected to shrink by 5.8%, whereas urban areas are projected to grow by 4.1%. If these projections become a reality, many policy issues will likely be affected including workforce, housing, health care, and education. It is more important now than ever to begin discussing long-term solutions to not only preserve and sustain rural areas in the Commonwealth but also help them to thrive. In the near future, we will introduce legislation to establish the Rural Population Revitalization Commission to connect policymakers, local officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to examine policy solutions and offer recommendations aimed at addressing challenges facing rural Pennsylvania. By establishing a commission to monitor population changes, we can ensure we are being proactive in retaining, attracting, and revitalizing the population in our rural communities. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation to support our rural communities. |