Even before the new session of the general assembly convenes, Democrats in the Senate are setting their sights on cities in distress. Harrisburg isn't the only community facing financial problems.
The laws that govern the operation of cities in the state are archaic. Some legislators say it's time to move community governance into the 21st century.
There are at least 21 local governments that are facing their own "fiscal cliff." The property tax remains an outdated tax to finance local government.
People are moving to the suburbs. Neighborhoods are suffering from blight. Crime is on the rise and community leaders are feeling hopeless.
A group of democratic senators say now is the time to plan for the future, and the future is today. Senator Judy Schwank of Reading says things are broken and it's time to fix it.
“Act 47 in and of itself is not the answer to the issues that our communities are facing,” Schwank stated. “We know that. We need a proactive and comprehensive way to look at this.”
The senators held a town meeting with community leaders in Harrisburg Tuesday morning. Members will visit other troubled cities in the coming weeks.
This isn't the first time the general assembly has been asked to enact local government reform. Unfortunately, the results of previous initiatives have been less than successful.
The challenge is for the Senate Democrats to engage their Republican colleagues, then get the State House and the Governor on board.
The laws that govern the operation of cities in the state are archaic. Some legislators say it's time to move community governance into the 21st century.
There are at least 21 local governments that are facing their own "fiscal cliff." The property tax remains an outdated tax to finance local government.
People are moving to the suburbs. Neighborhoods are suffering from blight. Crime is on the rise and community leaders are feeling hopeless.
A group of democratic senators say now is the time to plan for the future, and the future is today. Senator Judy Schwank of Reading says things are broken and it's time to fix it.
“Act 47 in and of itself is not the answer to the issues that our communities are facing,” Schwank stated. “We know that. We need a proactive and comprehensive way to look at this.”
The senators held a town meeting with community leaders in Harrisburg Tuesday morning. Members will visit other troubled cities in the coming weeks.
This isn't the first time the general assembly has been asked to enact local government reform. Unfortunately, the results of previous initiatives have been less than successful.
The challenge is for the Senate Democrats to engage their Republican colleagues, then get the State House and the Governor on board.