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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Victoria L. Stanish |
State Rep. John
Yudichak |
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Yudichak: Municipal cooperation bill passes House
HARRISBURG, July 3 – State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne, said legislation he sponsored that would promote municipal cooperation recently passed the House of Representatives.
Yudichak’s bill (H.B. 708) would require the state Department of Community and Economic Development to give priority to projects that promote municipal cooperation when administering the Local Government Capital Project Loan Fund. The fund, administered by the Governor’s Center for Local Government, provides low-interest loans to municipalities with populations of 12,000 or less. The funds may be used for the purchase of equipment, construction or rehabilitation of municipal facilities.
“This legislation would help municipalities who want to enter into agreements with other municipalities but need help with the start-up costs so they can move forward,” Yudichak said.
He said the state has more than 2,500 municipalities, many of which can no longer afford the cost of providing necessary services to residents because of declining populations and the resulting reduction in tax funds used to pay for those services.
“By sharing equipment, services and administrative functions, smaller municipalities will be able to operate in a cost-effective manner and adequately serve residents,” Yudichak said.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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