Planned community study ok'd

HARRISBURG — State Rep. John Siptroth’s resolution calling for a sweeping study of planned communities, their infrastructure and how they might be able to access state funding programs was unanimously approved by the state House Urban Affairs Committee on June 30. The resolution would direct the Joint State Government Commission to determine: • The number of private communities in each county and municipality. • The amount of state and local taxes their residents pay per year. • The amount and condition of infrastructure in the communities. • Whether these communities should be allowed to access state money to improve infrastructure. • Whether there are ways for the state to make sure the communities receive adequate services at an affordable cost. “It has certainly been a hot-button topic in my district, as I have been repeatedly asked to help these communities,” said Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike. “I also believe it’s a topic of interest across the state because there are millions of Pennsylvanians who live in these communities.” Siptroth said infrastructure needs within these communities are on the rise as roads, bridges, dams, wells and wastewater systems are becoming obsolete and overused as the communities grow. He also noted that many of these communities are not wealthy and lack the money to fund these often expensive repairs. Although the communities support state funding programs with their tax money, they have been deemed ineligible for many of those programs. Siptroth said the study would form the basis for a series of legislation he intends to write to help these communities and their host municipalities. He said the resolution now goes to the full House for consideration.