House Democratic Policy Committee to hold hearing on local government efficiency and shared services Monday in Capitol

HARRISBURG, Aug. 27 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on reducing costs through greater efficiency in local government with a special focus on shared services and cooperation. 

The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live.

Requested by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, the hearing will feature a discussion on the potential of local governmental cooperation and shared services to achieve cost savings, as well as other ideas, from various experts and stakeholders. Testifiers will speak remotely while members will participate in person and remotely.

Ciresi has introduced H.B. 2760, which would establish a new shared services grant program for school districts, counties and municipalities.

Testifiers will include: 

  • Eric Wolfgang, president, Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
  • Dr. John George, executive director elect, Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units.
  • Dr. Kevin Singer, executive director, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.
  • Melanie Walter, director of division of local government services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
  • Dr. Peter Newman, professor of sustainability at Curtin University and lead author for transport on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Following the hearing, testimony and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee.

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