Jun. 25, 2018
HARRISBURG – The first and only legislative bill to deal with Harrisburg and the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act (Act 47) will soon be introduced, Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) announced today as he sent out a co-sponsorship memo.
“Should Harrisburg remain in Act 47 or not? That is the question,” Rothman said. “My legislation will allow the legislature to look into what’s going on in the city and make an educated decision.
“Speaker Mike Turzai is right. The taxpayers of the city, region and state deserve an open and transparent process about the future of the capital city. My legislation will allow objective public hearings to take place through the Urban Affairs Committee,” he added
Rothman is drafting legislation to allow Harrisburg to exit Act 47 while ensuring the city’s pension obligations and Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust (OPEB Trust) remain funded. The OPEB Trust was created as part of Harrisburg’s recovery plan approved in accordance with Act 47.
Harrisburg has been operating under Act 47 oversight since 2013 and is eligible to have its status as a financially distressed municipality lifted by one of four options. The options the city has under current law are the termination of distressed status; municipal disincorporation; fiscal emergency; or a three-year exit plan.
Rothman noted media reports quoting the chairman of Harrisburg City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, Ben Allatt, being surprised at the “alarmist” description of the city by Mayor Eric Papenfuse.
The state-appointed recovery coordinator, Marita Kelley, also questioned the mayor’s timing as she is finalizing an exit plan for the city due to be unveiled July 9.
“We have spoken to the Urban Affairs chairman, Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Cumberland), asking him to hold hearings about Act 47 and Harrisburg, and he has agreed,” Rothman said. “The goal we all have is to improve the city’s ability to achieve long-term financial sustainability.”
Representative Greg Rothman
87th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Madry
717.260.6587
mmadry@pahousegop.com
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