Push for Municipal Consolidation
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: July 19, 2010
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - In Pennsylvania, there are currently more than 25-hundred local governments.
That's why some legislators in Harrisburg would like to clear the way for municipal consolidations. But the proposed changes to state law still have a long way to go.
One legislative proposal under consideration calls for a State Constitutional Amendment that would mandate municipal mergers and consolidations throughout the State. While there are plenty of lawmakers opposed to that effort, there appears to be growing support for at least looking at ways to reduce the number of local governments.
The Secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development says there are a growing number of local governments in this state that are in danger of falling into the category of financially distressed. That's one reason there is some growing support for municipal consolidation efforts that could help communities save a lot of money by combining services.
But because this push for municipal consolidation would shift certain responsibilities to the county level of government, opposition to the proposal has surfaced and the proposal has a long way to go before it would have a chance at becoming law. A big problem with this push for municipal consolidation is that would mandate participation.
Other bills that would encourage, but not mandate municipal consolidation are also under consideration in Harrisburg. Supporters say that move could lead to big savings for tax payers and local governments.
That's why some legislators in Harrisburg would like to clear the way for municipal consolidations. But the proposed changes to state law still have a long way to go.
One legislative proposal under consideration calls for a State Constitutional Amendment that would mandate municipal mergers and consolidations throughout the State. While there are plenty of lawmakers opposed to that effort, there appears to be growing support for at least looking at ways to reduce the number of local governments.
The Secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development says there are a growing number of local governments in this state that are in danger of falling into the category of financially distressed. That's one reason there is some growing support for municipal consolidation efforts that could help communities save a lot of money by combining services.
But because this push for municipal consolidation would shift certain responsibilities to the county level of government, opposition to the proposal has surfaced and the proposal has a long way to go before it would have a chance at becoming law. A big problem with this push for municipal consolidation is that would mandate participation.
Other bills that would encourage, but not mandate municipal consolidation are also under consideration in Harrisburg. Supporters say that move could lead to big savings for tax payers and local governments.
