Robbins: Senate Passes Legislation Supporting Local Governments

Robbins' Bill Providing Greater Voice for Local Governments Sent to House

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) announced that the Senate passed several key measures supporting local governments this week.

Senate Bill 261, sponsored by Robbins, would provide local government officials a greater voice within state government by elevating the Center for Local Government Services within the Department of Community and Economic Development. As the one-stop shop for local governments, the Center provides a full range of technical and financial assistance to municipalities.

"It is through the Center that the Department best relates to local officials," said Sen. Robbins. "It is imperative that local officials have a direct link to the Department dedicated to their needs. This bill would strengthen the Center and ensure that it play a lead role in issues affecting municipalities."

"Meanwhile, the Local Government Commission, which I chair, is the bipartisan arm of the General Assembly that is responsive to the needs of municipalities and their residents," said Robbins. "As such, the Commission has a good working relationship with the municipal associations which from time to time request the assistance of legislators and their staff. Three bills that have recently passed the Senate that are illustrative of this rapport are Senate Bill 809, Senate Bill 810, and Senate Bill 1114."

Senate Bill 809 would permit township auditors to be compensated for attending conferences, institutes, and schools for eight hours instead of five hours per day. With the more technical aspects now required of auditors to perform their responsibilities, this bill would now permit auditors to attend all day training programs in an effort to do a better job for which they were elected.

Senate Bill 810, introduced on behalf of the Department of Community and Economic Development, would repeal a needless mandate for the Department to collect and file municipal budget reports that local governments are no longer required to forward to them. Senate Bill 810 would complete a six bill package, five of which have already been enacted, to reduce needless paperwork and mandates.

Senate Bill 1114 would provide for reimbursement of township officials when attending county conventions. Conventions are conducted periodically and bring township and state officials together to discuss issues and problems of importance. An additional provision in the bill would also allow townships to contribute financially to county economic development projects.

"I am pleased that these bills, which were developed in conjunction with the Local Government Commission, passed the Senate unanimously," said Robbins. "I am looking forward to their consideration in the House."

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322