Jan. 05, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) has been appointed to serve a third term as chairman of the
House Local Government Committee during the 2017-18 legislative session.
“Pennsylvania has 2,500 local governments and another 2,000 entities such as municipal and county authorities. Each exists and operates due to legislation we pass in Harrisburg,” Harper said. “As the level of government closest to the people, where citizens have a direct right and ability to show up and give input on issues of concern, our townships, boroughs, cities and counties are an important part of our Democracy, and their concerns are important to us in the General Assembly.”
The committee addressed a variety of issues in the 2015-16 session, passing 18 bills that ultimately became law. Among them are laws giving local government entities more flexibility in their investments; clarifying methods by which local officials may be removed from office; updating property maintenance codes; expanding anti-windfall provisions to cover any special tax created through referendum to ensure it is revenue neutral; and giving townships the authority to implement storm water management ordinances and assessing a fee to fund the planning, management, implementation, construction and maintenance of storm water facilities.
Generally, the Local Government Committee reviews bills that would amend the municipal codes by which local governments operate. This could include legislation related to local government purchases, real estate assessment policies and statewide pensions for municipal police officers. Pennsylvania has more than 2,500 local government units of all sizes. The committee also works closely with the Local Government Commission, a bipartisan legislative service agency that provides research assistance on issues pertaining to local governments.
Prior to her appointment as chairman of the Local Government Committee last session, Harper served as chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee and the House Ethics Committee. She also previously served as a member of the Local Government Committee, as well as the Transportation, Environmental Resources and Energy, Judiciary and Urban Affairs committees. She has represented the 61st Legislative District in Montgomery County since 2000.
For updates on committee business and other legislative news, sign up at
KateHarper.net and follow Harper on Facebook at
Facebook.com/RepKateHarper.
Representative Kate Harper
61st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rep. Harper’s Blue Bell Office
610.277.3230
KateHarper.net /
Facebook.com/RepKateHarper
kharper@pahousegop.com