|
Edited on Sat Jul-09-11 08:20 AM by Divernan
Add that to the complexities of the annual state budget, and you understand why legislators don't even read the budget, but rely on expert caucus staff to answer any specific questions they may have, and rely on the caucus leadership to tell them how to vote on it.
Rationally, given the different mandates from state to local govt. units, including counties, (funded mandates as opposed to unfunded mandates) I would answer your question by saying that a county's class should determine SOME of the funding from the state. But I can't give you a specific formula, if such exists. Your question would be a good one to pose to your state senator or representative. They would forward it to the (excellent) staff at the Local Govt. Commission, which might already have a publication detailing, county by county, or county class by county class, if there are some guidelines in the state codes. Again that could be altered year to year by the state budget.
AN ADMITTEDLY DRY AND BORING OVERVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local govt. in PA is a complex mosaic of 5,149 units which overlap geographically. It would take at least a 3 credit college course to explain the complexities and interrelationships. Each unit is distinct & independent of other local units, although they may overlap geographically and may act together to "serve the public."
When I was working with the Local Government Committee in the state House, we had to constantly refer to a whole stack of different publications from the bipartisan Local Government Commission, depending on which class county/counties, which class city, which class school district, etc. we were dealing with. Then there were the municipalities and "authorities". Bills would be specifically tailored a single entity, such as "Counties of the Fourth Class", for example. I never heard much of a rational explanation for why the system was so fragmented, but knowing Pennsylvania politics, it will not be changed in our lifetimes - just like the size of the legislature! The numbers I quote are from 2003, which is when I retired. Hopefully, there have been some mergers of school districts and smaller govt. units since then, because such mergers would save the taxpayers a lot of money.
PA has 67 counties, 1 first class city (Phillie), 1 2nd class city (Pgh), 1 2nd class A city (Scranton), and 53 3rd class cities. Then there are 96l boroughs, 1 incorporated township, 91 1st class townships, 1457 2nd class townships, 501 school districts and 2,015 authorities. Depending on population, a school district can be in one of 5 classes: 1st class, 1st class A, 2nd class, 3rd class & 4th class.
The term "municipality" can refer to a county, city, borough, incorporated town or township or a municipal corporation. Some municipal corporations cross county lines. Local authorities are govt. entities created to finance and/or operate specific public works projects without tapping general taxing powers of the municipalities. In other words, they are not creatures, agents or representatives of the municipalities that organize them, but are independent agencies of the Commonwealth. They are separate legal entities and derive their powers from different statutes. The variety of local authorities encompasses airport, business district, community facility,economic development, local govt. facility, nonprofit institution, parking, recreation, school, sewer, solid waste, transit or water.
Feeling confused or overwhelmed yet? Bored to tears? Here's a summary.
1. Political subdivisions encompass municipalities and school districts.
2. Municipalities encompass municipal corporations and counties.
3. Municipal corporations encompass cities, boroughs, towns and townships.
4. Local authorities encompass municipal authorities and other bodies corporate and politic created
by one or more political subdivisions pursuant to law.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
