Jun. 19, 2017
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation extending the deadline school districts would have to proceed with construction and awarding of bids in order to be eligible for state reimbursement on projects.
As part of Act 25 of 2016, school districts with projects in the PlanCon process as of May 15, 2016, would be eligible for reimbursement as long as the districts have proceeded with construction and awarding of bid contracts by July 1, 2019. This could force school districts to start projects before they are ready in order to receive reimbursement.
“The Canon-McMillan School District is growing by leaps and bounds,” Ortitay said. “It recently approved bids for an addition to its high school, which is expected to be completed in January 2019. Plans also are in the works for a new middle school. The school board is proceeding with its construction plans in a judicious way and should not be forced to move forward with the middle school project before it is ready. Doing so could force the district to raise taxes substantially.”
House Bill 1586 would change the deadline to proceed with construction and awarding of bid contracts to July 1, 2022. This legislation only would apply to school districts in the PlanCon process as of May 15, 2016. No new school districts would be added with this extension. PlanCon, an acronym for Planning and Construction Workbook, is a set of forms and procedures school districts use to apply for reimbursement from the state for major construction projects.
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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