PA Communities Want Tax Options

A group of Pennsylvania municipalities wants state government to implement fiscal reforms which could lift many of the communities out of financial trouble.

The Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities presented a report to Governor-elect Tom Corbett today recommending new policies for collective bargaining, bidding, and especially taxation in local governments.

President Kip Allen says the League wants a “menu” of tax options that municipalities could choose from. He says many counties also want the right to increase their sales tax rates above 6%, like Allegheny and Philadelphia Counties have done.

Allen says in addition to new tax options, the league would like Pennsylvania to update some of its fiscal policies. He says for example, the state’s collective bargaining agreement with police and firefighters has been the same since 1968.

Including Pittsburgh, 19 municipalities are under state fiscal supervision via Act 47.