|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Jaret Gibbons |
|
Gibbons bill provides $3 million to help municipalities with state schools
HARRISBURG, June 8 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Lawrence/Beaver/Butler, today announced he has introduced legislation that would help Slippery Rock Borough, Slippery Rock Township and the other Pennsylvania municipalities that host colleges and universities in the state system.
"The Municipal Service Grant Act would create a $3 million grant program through the Department of Community and Economic Development to help with the cost of providing municipal services to the 14 state-owned State System of Higher Education schools," Gibbons said. "These schools – like Slippery Rock University – are a valued part of their communities, but the tax-exempt status of PASSHE schools puts increased pressure on local property taxpayers to make up the difference with already tight municipal budgets."
"State-owned schools bring thousands of students into these communities which require increased costs for police and fire protection, code enforcement and other basic services. Since the schools are tax-exempt, it is harder for municipalities to provide services to the entire community. By making $3 million available in grants, it will alleviate some of the burden on these college towns."
Gibbons said the legislation includes a formula for the funding disbursement which considers the number of full-time students and the lost tax revenue to host municipalities from the PASSHE's tax-exempt status.
The bill, H.B 1557, is in the House Local Government Committee.
###kph