Yesterday, Gov. Tom Wolf gave his annual budget address and, once again, proposed a State Police tax. Like last year, this proposal is called a “fair service fee” which, if enacted, would be a tax assessed on all municipalities to…
IFO Releases School District Property Tax Forecast
The Independent Fiscal Office has released a School District Property Tax Forecast to facilitate discussion on proposals that would contemplate changes to these taxes. The forecast examines estimates for the current and future fiscal years using 2018-2019 actual data as…
Governor Outlines Spending Priorities, Income Tax Hike without Property Tax Relief
On the eve of his annual budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf outlined his budget priorities, including a proposal to increase the personal income tax to 4.49% without any reduction in property taxes in fund schools. He will restate the legislative…
Independent Fiscal Office, Revenue Release January Revenue Numbers
The Independent Fiscal Office and state Department of Revenue have released January revenue reports. For the month of January, state General Fund collections totaled $2.7 billion and were $245.8 million lower than the IFO’s official estimates. The shortfall was largely the result of a temporary shift in personal income tax collections. The Motor License Fund…
Deadline Approaching for USDA Loan and Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications until the end of February for its Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. Townships with populations of 20,000 or less are eligible for the program. Funds may be used to purchase…
Deadline Extended for Local Government Excellence Award Nominations
The deadline for the 2021 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence has been extended until February 14, 2021. Do you have a township official in your community who demonstrates exceptional dedication to improving public services? If so, be sure to…
Secretary of Commonwealth Boockvar Resigns After Failure to Advertise Constitutional Amendment
Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that effective February 5, Kathy Boockvar, Secretary of the Commonwealth, is leaving the administration due to a failure of the Department of State to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment that would retroactively extend the timeline…
Wolf Issues Emergency Declaration for Winter Storm
Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a disaster emergency proclamation for the severe winter weather that is impacting the commonwealth. Among other language, the proclamation waives any laws or regulations that would restrict the state Department of Transportation from helping local…
Pa Turnpike Transfers $337.5 Million to PennDOT
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has transferred $337.5 million to the state Department of Transportation to fulfill its legal obligation to provide supplemental transit funding under Act 44 of 2007. This included two payments that were deferred due to COVID-19-related toll…
Reminder: LTAP Holding Virtual Drop-In Session on Updated PennDOT Pub 213 (Work Zones)
Township officials are reminded that the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) will hold a virtual drop-in session this Thursday, February 4, at 11 a.m. to discuss the state Department of Transportation’s newly updated Publication 213, Temporary Traffic Control Guidelines. Publication…
