The General Government line item in the Governor's budget showed a modest decrease from last year's budget of $686,000. This is surprising since during the past legislative year this Department took on new responsibilities such as the Food Act, the new Dog Law, along with the assuming the new duties of the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Council. This is in addition to the training of food handlers and processors who are required to conform to federal guidelines regarding seafood.

      The General Assembly appropriated $490,000 for the 1997-98 FY, the same amount as last year for Hardwoods applied research. This program was under the auspices of Community and Economic Development last year. Now under the Department of Agriculture, the Hardwood Industry is hoping to use the agricultural resources and business know-how to wisely process wiselt the special high grade of wood that comes from Pennsylvania's forests. This will reap rewards for Pennsylvania in terms of jobs and the proper silviculture to be used for a stronger harvest.

      Act 151 of 1996, which became the Dog Law, was developed in the hopes of strengthening the enforcement of dog laws by raising the revenues from dog licenses. The extra revenue would of course go towards the enforcement of laws relating to dogs. In the 1997-98 FY budget, the Dog Law Administration will receive $3.2 million.

      The General Assembly appropriated $1 million for the Farmer's Market Food Coupon Program. Prior to this year, there was no funding. This program provides food coupons to those mothers and their children who can benefit from a wide array of fruits and vegetables that have been raised by local farmers.