Commonwealth Court heard arguments over Pittsburgh police contracts on Wednesday, and what the police union calls “arbitrary and capricious” raises offered by the city.  

According to the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, union members received minimal wage increases over the term of a four-year contract beginning in 2014 that was part of an arbitration award. 

With the new legislative session quickly approaching it is easy to overlook what was accomplished during the 2013-14 legislative session, even if the paramount legislative issues remain on the legislature’s agenda.

One of the most notable pieces of legislation gained momentum in 2011 and passed in the closing days of the 2013-2014 session, when Governor Tom Corbett signed HB 1773, also known as Act 199, which amends the Financially Distressed Municipalities Act of 1987, also known as Act 47. 

The Senate Local Government Committee held a hearing Thursday on legislation reforming Act 47, which provides assistance to Pennsylvania municipalities who are fiscally distressed.

The focus of the hearing was on Sen. John Eichelberger’s (R-Blair) Senate Bill 1157, the unamended version of Rep. Chris Ross’s (R-Chester) House Bill 1773, the latter of which is poised for final consideration in the House when that chamber returns to voting session after the Easter break. 

According to Michael Gasbarre, Executive Director of the Local Government Commission, the entity whose concepts are articulated in the legislation, the bill the legislation would—among other things—provide a five year time limit for cities to exit distressed status under Act 47, would enhance the early intervention program, allows for new taxes and mandate relief for distressed cities, and provides for municipal disincorporation if (in extreme cases) the municipality cannot exit distressed status.