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Robbins Reintroduces Bill to Strengthen Center for Local
Government Services
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) has reintroduced legislation that would enhance the
status of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s
Center for Local Government Services and ultimately provide municipalities with
a greater voice in state government matters.
In 1996, Senator Robbins,
then the chair of the Local Government Committee, shepherded through the
legislative process the consolidation of the Department of Community Affairs
with the Department of Commerce. At the insistence of Senator Robbins, the
Center for Local Government was established within the new Department of
Community and Economic Development, to ensure that local officials had a place
within state government to address their needs.
“As the one-stop shop for
Pennsylvania’s local governments, the Center for Local Government Services
provides a full range of technical and financial assistance,” said Robbins.
“Citizens look to local governments as the closest, most accessible form of
government. Since its inception, the staff of the Center for Local Government
Services have been performing admirable work in providing information and
guidance on a host of questions and problems brought to them by local
governments.”
Senate Bill 262 would
elevate the position of the Center’s Executive Director to Deputy Secretary
status, thus providing local governments with a larger voice in state government
matters.
Robbins said passage of
Senate Bill 261 would secure the future of the agency even as governors and
legislators change. “I believe it is important that this successful agency be
provided with the recognition it deserves to ensure that it continues a lead
role in providing services to local governments,” said Robbins.
Senate Bills 261 is
identical to Senate Bill 230 that was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate in
2003. Unfortunately, the House did not consider the bill prior to the end of
the 2003-04 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 261 has been referred to the
Senate Community and Economic Development Committee for its consideration.
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