Jan. 08, 2026
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today announced plans to reintroduce legislation that would modernize Pennsylvania’s outdated advertising and public notice requirements for local governments, allowing greater flexibility in how required notices are delivered to the public.
“This is the fourth legislative session I’ve authored this bill, and the need for action has never been more urgent,” Ortitay said. “With the recent announcement that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette plans to cease publication this spring, local governments across western Pennsylvania are facing an impossible situation. Current law requires notices to be published in print newspapers that may no longer exist.”
Pennsylvania’s public advertising law dates back to 1976, an era when print newspapers were the primary source of information for residents. Under current statute, municipalities, school districts and authorities are required to publish legal notices, including meeting notices, bid solicitations, contract awards, tax information and ordinances, in printed newspapers of general circulation.
“If a newspaper shuts down or dramatically reduces publication, local governments are still legally required to advertise there even when no viable option exists,” Ortitay added. “That’s not transparency. That’s a broken system.”
Ortitay’s legislation would allow local governments to meet public notice requirements electronically, in print or through a combination of methods, selecting from a menu of options designed to best reach their residents. The bill does not eliminate notice requirements, nor does it reduce public access. Instead, it updates the law to reflect how Pennsylvanians actually receive information today.
“Most residents already get their local information online through municipal websites, email alerts, social media or digital news platforms,” Ortitay said. “This bill ensures notices are easier to find, timelier and accessible to more people, while still preserving the option to publish in print where it makes sense.”
Beyond accessibility, the current system also imposes significant and unnecessary costs on taxpayers. Print legal advertising can cost local governments tens of thousands of dollars annually, even as readership continues to decline.
“This is about fiscal responsibility as much as transparency,” Ortitay added. “Local governments shouldn’t be forced to spend scarce taxpayer dollars on an advertising model that no longer works, especially when better, cheaper and more effective options are available.”
Previous versions of the legislation have received broad bipartisan and stakeholder support, including backing from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Municipal League, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association and multiple township associations.
“With newspapers closing, consolidating and reducing publication statewide, this is no longer a future concern, it’s a present crisis,” Ortitay said. “If the law isn’t updated, local governments will be placed in legal jeopardy through no fault of their own. This legislation provides a practical, responsible solution.”
The 46th Legislative District includes South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant and North Strabane (Districts 6,7,8 and 9) townships and Canonsburg, Houston and McDonald boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com