From April 12-14, representatives from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC) gathered in Harrisburg for a series of critical meetings with PA House members. The goal was simple: to ensure PA State Representatives understand the unique challenges of residents in First Class Townships.
Here is a breakdown of the key issues discussed during the legislative visit:
- Enhancing Local Services: The Local Service Tax (LST)
PSATC is advocating for increased flexibility regarding the Local Service Tax. Currently capped at $52 per year for non-residents working within a municipality, PSATC supports an optional increase of up to $156 per year.
- Who it helps: The revenue is vital for the safety of everyone working in our towns, providing essential funding for infrastructure and first responders (police, fire, and EMS).
- Who it protects: The proposal includes protections to ensure the fee does not negatively impact certain low-income individuals.
- Local Control: This is not a mandatory hike, but a tool for municipalities to use if local budget needs require it.
- Modernizing Public Notice Advertising
The way we share information is changing. With print media declining or becoming nonexistent in some regions, the current laws for public notice advertising are outdated.
PSATC supports a “menu of options” for advertising, which would allow municipalities to use:
- Traditional print media (where available).
- Electronic
- Official government
Legislative Stance: PSATC is currently opposed to HB 1291 unless the Donahue Amendment is included, which would formally grant local governments these flexible “menu” options for public notices.
- Preserving Local Zoning & Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is a statewide crisis, but PSATC believes the solution lies in collaboration, not state mandates. While we aim to increase the housing supply, we are committed to preserving local zoning authority.
PSATC is closely monitoring and opposing legislation that preempts local control, specifically:
- HB 2109 (The Golden Girls Law)
- HB 2186 (Accessory Dwelling Units): This would allow ADUs “by right” in areas currently zoned for single-family homes.
Status Update: Both bills were amended in committee and subsequently laid on the table by the House. We will be providing updates on these developments shortly.
- Radar and Public Safety
The push for local use of radar remains a priority for PSATC. However, with the current legislative session winding down, movement on radar legislation is unlikely at this stage. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
- Fire and EMS Service Delivery
PSATC evaluates House Bills related to Fire and EMS delivery on a case-by-case basis to ensure they improve service without creating unfunded burdens.
PSATC supports the following sample bills:
- HB 1306
- HB 1152
- SB 457
- SB 737
- Modernizing Municipal Revenue Tools
Another focus of the Harrisburg meetings was the need to modernize local revenue tools. PSATC highlighted that many of the current funding mechanisms were authorized in the 1960s and are no longer sufficient to meet 21st-century municipal needs.
- The Funding Gap: While the costs of providing essential services have risen significantly over the last 50 years, the tools available to townships to meet those expenses have remained stagnant, leading to increasing fiscal distress.
- Legislative Goal: PSATC supports updating Act 511 (The Local Tax Enabling Act). This update would level the playing field for all municipalities by providing a broader “menu” of local taxing options, giving townships the flexibility to remain fiscally healthy and responsive to their communities.
Stay tuned as we update this list with specific bill numbers and summaries currently under review by our legislative committee.