Former Rep Discusses Environmental Issues On Radio Smart Talk

This morning, witf’s Radio Smart Talk heard from former state Representative Franklin Kury, who has written a new book about his time in Harrisburg.

From 1905 to the mid-’60s, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted five clean water laws and coal companies were exempted from complying with each one.  During that time, runoff from mines polluted many of the state’s waterways.
When legislation finally did pass that required coal companies to abide by the law, an incumbent lawmaker from Northumberland County was one of only six to vote against the bill.  That gave his opponent — Franklin Kury — an opening and Kury took advantage by making the environment one of the keystones of his successful campaign.
Kury went on to serve in both the State House of Representatives and the Senate and has been described as a reformer during his time in office.

Here’s the interview:

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