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For Immediate
Release
9/13/07
Local Government Package Aims to Save Taxpayer
Money
16-Bill Package would provide for municipal
purchasing flexibility
As part of his efforts to provide local governments flexibility from state
mandates and save taxpayers money, Senate Local Government Committee Chairman
Bob Regola (R-39) today coordinated the introduction of a bipartisan 16-bill
package raising the levels at which municipalities must go through the formal
bidding process when purchasing products or contracting for services.
Currently, anytime a municipality plans to purchase an item above $10,000, it
must go through the bidding process by advertising twice in a newspaper,
receiving sealed bids by vendors, and voting at a public meeting on the lowest
bid. Senate Bills 1071 to 1086 would amend the various local government codes
-- including those for counties, cities, townships, boroughs and school
districts -- by raising from $10,000 to $25,000 the level at which local
governments must go through the bidding process. The bills also increase the
range requiring written or telephonic quotes from $4,000 to $10,000 to $7,000 to
$25,000. Additionally, the bid limit thresholds would annually be adjusted by
the Department of Labor and Industry based upon the Consumer Price Index for all
Urban Consumers (CPI-U) -- thus negating the need to regularly address this
issue.
"It has been 17 years since the General Assembly last addressed this issue,"
said Sen. Regola. "It's time that we provide local governments the flexibility
they need so that they can do their jobs without being constrained by red tape.
Furthermore, the ability to make relatively small purchases without the time and
expense of advertising and bidding will be more efficient and save money for
municipalities. Savings to the districts ultimately means saving our taxpayers
money."
Nick Lorenzo, Chairman of the Rostraver Township Commissioners, stated, "I
would like to thank Senator Regola and the members of the Senate for
spearheading this initiative. In today's world there are few items that can be
purchased for less than $10,000 and this legislation will help speed up the
process by which government operates. What now can take up to a couple weeks,
the township will be able to do in only a few days. All this can be done while
still maintaining public accountability."
Senator Regola coordinated the introduction of the 16-bill package with the
following Senators: Baker (R-20), Brubaker, (R-36), Corman (R-34), Eichelberger
(R-30), Ferlo (D-38), Folmer (R-48), Fontana (D-42), Gordner (R-27), Robbins
(R-50), and Waugh (R-28). Overall, 27 Senators are sponsoring the package of
bills.
"With the large number of mandates placed on local governments and the
limited amount of state dollars available to assist them, it is important that
we find ways to save taxpayers' money without losing accountability," said Sen.
Regola. "This package will do just that."
The Senate Local Government Committee plans to meet on September 26th to take
up the legislation.
Contacts:
Nate Silcox, Senator Regola's Office
(717) 787-6063
Nick Lorenzo, Rostraver Township
(724) 929-8877
MORE:
Tax Relief
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