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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 15, 2013 09:40 AM |
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| From: | Representative Mario M. Scavello |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Re-introduction of Legislation: Amendment to Title 45 - Legal Advertising for Public Entities |
| SPONSORSHIP MEMORANDUM TO: All House Members FROM: Representative Mario Scavello RE: Co-Sponsorship of legal advertising legislation DATE: January 15, 2013 I plan to reintroduce legislation (former HB1017 of 2007-08) that would authorize government entities to meet their legal advertising requirements through publication in a community paper of mass dissemination. Under current law, local governments must place official and legal advertisements, such as publicizing meeting dates or providing notice of bidding requests, in newspapers of general circulation. While such advertising is a necessary part of keeping the community informed of government proceedings, these publications may not be the most effective or cost-efficient way for local governments to reach their constituents. In some areas of Pennsylvania, for instance, community papers have a larger circulation within a local government’s jurisdiction than the predominant local newspapers. Officials at the local level have a better understanding of how to best reach constituents with information regarding meetings and other events that must be advertised to the public, and my bill would offer them the flexibility to meet the needs of their communities. Further, the effects of these economically challenging times are not limited to the pocketbooks of local citizens; they also negatively impact our local governments and school districts. This legislation would help to address current budgeting realities by lowering the legal advertising cost to government entities. According to a study released by Penn State University in May 2006, legal advertising in newspapers, as mandated by state law, costs local governments on average $26 million each year. Permitting these government bodies to choose a more inexpensive alternative by advertising in community newspapers both relieves taxpayers of this additional expense and frees dollars for other programs and functions. The language in my bill will ensure that a local government may utilize only a community paper that is well-established, regularly distributed and delivered to all individuals within a zip code or a municipality’s boundaries. Thus, the integrity of the governing process would not be undermined by granting this alternative, but entrusts elected officials with making the best decision for their constituents. This legislation was former House Bill 1017 of 2007-2008. If you wish to co-sponsor this legislation, please contact Rebecca Borbidge in my office at 717-787-7732. Thank you for your consideration. Former co-sponsors: BOYD , CALTAGIRONE , CAPPELLI , COX , CREIGHTON , J. EVANS , EVERETT , GEIST , HENNESSEY , HICKERNELL , JOSEPHS , M. KELLER , KORTZ , LEACH , MAJOR , MILLARD , RAYMOND , REICHLEY , SANTONI , SONNEY , R. STEVENSON , SWANGER , TRUE , WATSON , YOUNGBLOOD , GIBBONS , DENLINGER and SIPTROTH Legislation attached. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB554