Director's Corner
Whose Job Is It, Anyway?
As we continue to struggle in the current economy, it's a good time to pause and take stock of how jobs are created and what we, as township leaders, can do to put people back to work. Everyone takes credit for creating jobs in good times, but when times are tough, there is often more finger-pointing and casting blame about what didn’t happen and whose fault it was.
As Washington and Harrisburg traditionally joust for bragging rights for job creation while trying to define local officials as obstacles to economic development, the fact is that the private sector creates jobs and not government. But each level of government has a role in economic development. Sometimes it is to help, and sometimes it is to get out of the way. Unfunded federal and state mandates are not just a financial burden for local governments, but over-regulation from Washington or Harrisburg can crush job growth, too.
While federal fiscal policies involving debt and the value of a dollar have a lot to do with setting the stage in the national and global economy, states play a much greater role in the “cost of doing business” through tax climate, financial aid, and a regulatory environment. But when push comes to shove, what are really the most important factors in job creation? Economic development professionals, site selection consultants, and real estate gurus all agree on the top three: location, location, LOCATION!
And that's where local government comes in. Township officials are tasked with protecting and providing a community that is safe and affordable and has a high quality of life. Census trends of the last decade prove that you are doing it right. There are nearly half a million more people living in townships today than 10 years ago. We all know the reasons why — people choose to live where they can feel safe, secure, and happy with their surroundings.
There is no one-size-fits-all definition of what this community looks like. Some are rural, and others are more developed. Some need a local police force while others are well-served by state police. Some have golf courses, libraries, and shopping centers, while others are quite comfortable with the natural habitat of Penn’s Woods.
But these communities all have something in common that is attractive to job creators. They have a transportation infrastructure, and THAT is a huge role of local government. All enjoy Pennsylvania’s finest natural resource: its people. The talent and work ethic of Pennsylvanians are second to none. And productivity goes up when they enjoy their quality of life. That includes being happy and safe while living in a community that has balanced its need for services with its willingness to pay for them. Our message to job creators is a sound one: “Welcome to townships. We are open for business!”
Want to learn more about unlocking the secrets to creating and holding local jobs? See the February issue of the Pennsylvania Township News. If you're not yet a subscriber, click here for more information.
In 2012, Make a Resolution to Learn!
Many of us make resolutions in our personal lives every January. In our professional lives, these resolutions become business goals and objectives. Here at PSATS, one of our continuing resolutions is to provide high-quality, yet affordable learning opportunities through our training and communications efforts.
Your residents/customers have entrusted you, as a township official, to make their lives better. From ensuring public safety to fostering a climate for job creation, you are expected to preserve the quality of life in your community and do it cost-effectively. That’s where we can help.
Our training programs — whether you travel to a central location, go online, or we bring a class to you — are the first step in helping you do a better job. We bring best practices to you from around the state and make sure you hear from experts in their field. But even more important, we make sure you hear from colleagues and peers, others who do your job in other communities. We don’t have to make the same mistakes if we take the time to learn from each other.
Our Annual Educational Conference in May is a great learning experience, but you also have an extra opportunity this year. Our two-day series for newly elected officials is not only the best way for new supervisors to get up to speed on the many details of local governance but can also be a great refresher course for seasoned township leaders. Ours is the only municipal training course in the state geared exclusively to townships. You will not find a better learning opportunity anywhere — I guarantee it!
Join your fellow officials this year in making a resolution to learn!
A Season for Praise
Thanksgiving is behind us as we move toward a new year. But first, let's take a moment to capture outstanding achievements in 2011!
Nominations for the 2012 Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence will be accepted until December 16. Presented each year during Local Government Week in April, the Governor’s Awards recognize township officials whose achievements serve as a model for other Pennsylvania local governments.
Awards are presented in the following categories:
- Building community partnerships
- Responding to adversity
- Promoting community/economic revitalization
- Innovative community/governmental initiatives
- Fiscal accountability and best management practices
- Innovative planning and sound land use practices
- Intergovernmental cooperation
- Information technology
Please note that all nomination forms must be submitted online by December 16. The awards will be presented at a luncheon in Harrisburg during Local Government Week.
Click here for more information about the awards.
Click the graphic to the right to access the application and guidelines directly.
Please take a moment to reflect on townships' many accomplishments throughout 2011 and nominate township best practices for these prestigious awards!
PSATS and Townships Are On a Roll!
When the economy got tough, PSATS asked legislators for common-sense reforms through relief from unfunded mandates. A long-awaited success on raising the bidding limits has started the ball rolling.
Now, we have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities coming before us with prevailing wage reform and maybe even electronic advertising. But first, the table is soon to be set for a natural gas drilling impact fee. The resulting funds would begin to address some of the onerous local costs associated with this economic opportunity and stave off local property tax increases in the affected communities.
On a related front, we must not let our guard down if the “bigger is better” crowd makes a renewed push for one-size-fits-all statewide zoning. Local determination and local government make as much sense now as they did when William Penn brought the concepts to Penn’s Woods. Fair and reasonable common-sense land use controls can preserve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians and balance a community’s interest in job creation, but we must never sacrifice our environment.
Stay tuned and be vigilant. Above all, help make sure your state representatives, senators, and the governor know where you stand on these critical local government issues!
Township Participation Is Critical to Success of Mandate Survey
I want to take a moment to remind all members about the importance of responding to the recent survey request for costs associated with unfunded mandates. The Local Government Commission will use these results in preparing its report to the legislature on the most costly and outrageous unfunded mandates that strangle local governments' budgets, as well as taxpayers' wallets.
If you have already responded, thank you! If you have not, PLEASE take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your responses are critical to determine how much certain mandates cost municipalities and help justify measures for mandate relief.
The deadline is Monday, October 31, 2011. If you need another copy, please contact Melissa Morgan at PSATS (mmorgan@psats.org; 717-763-0930).
'Back to School' Isn't Just for Kids! Check Out PSATS' Training Options
Now that school is back in session, township officials and staff should consider taking advantage of some great professional development opportunities. There's never been a better time to take a look at PSATS' training courses and sign up for the ones that best suit your needs.
Learn about the offerings and register here.
Also, as you begin to plan for 2012, don’t forget to address professional development training in your budget -- including the PSATS Annual Educational Conference and other regional and online opportunities.
By sharing best practices, we can all help each other!
We Can Never Let Our Guard Down
We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001, and as we get ready to commemorate the 10th anniversary of that life-changing chain of events and honor those who died, it’s important that we keep something else in mind, too: We can never let our guard down.
Disasters, manmade and particularly those created by Mother Nature, occur every day.
As it so happens, September is also National Preparedness Month. This year’s slogan, “a time to remember, a time to prepare,” is a solid reminder from FEMA that homeland security starts in our hometowns – in our very own townships.
I encourage all of you to show your commitment to this effort by joining the 2011 National Preparedness Month Coalition. Sign up now by logging onto http://community.fema.gov. Once registered, you will have access to suggestions for activities and events, articles, and customizable materials. You will also be able to share your success stories and participate in online discussions with fellow coalition members and FEMA representatives.
Also be sure to keep your eyes on your mailbox. In the weeks ahead, PSATS will be rolling out a new member service, the Township Emergency Management Association. This one-of-a-kind organization, focused on providing information and training, will help you and your emergency management coordinator prepare for the unexpected.
We're One Step Closer to Eliminating Street Sign Replacement Mandate
Changes to the costly federal regulation requiring municipalities to upgrade their street signs by January 2015 are under consideration in Washington, D.C. The changes are not final, but getting this far is a great victory for townships, PSATS, and the National Association of Towns and Townships.
Yesterday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the administration is proposing the elimination of the requirements to replace regulatory, warning, and ground-mounted guide signs by January 2015 and overhead guide signs and street name signs by January 2018.
The proposal will be published in the Federal Register on Aug. 31. This will be followed by a 60-day comment period. At that time, the Federal Highway Administration will review all comments and make a final rule, which will also be published in the Federal Register.
Safety groups will be opposing this proposed change, so it is not a definite. PSATS will be working with NATaT to submit comments. We have been pushing for this mandate relief for more than a year, and we offer special thanks to Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey for putting the legislative pressure on. We're one step closer to success!
This is a great example of why it's important for Association members to participate in the Grassroots Lobbying Network as well as NATaT. Your actions help get results!
First an Earthquake, Now a Hurricane...
Gov. Tom Corbett has declared a disaster emergency to enable municipalities to respond quickly to Hurricane Irene and avoid time-consuming and costly bidding and advertising requirements.
As I indicated earlier this week, there is no better time than the present to take a second look at your public safety responsibilities. Make sure your municipal emergency management coordinator is in touch with your county emergency management coordinator. Your residents will be looking to local government for first response and safety.
An Earthquake-Driven Reminder: Cover All Hazards in Emergency Management Plans
The surprisingly strong earthquake that affected much of the eastern United States (we felt it here at the PSATS office!) offers a good reminder to township officials: Now is the time to make sure your emergency management plan addresses all hazards.
Also as a precautionary measure in light of the earthquake, townships with critical bridges (bridges with rocker bearings, roller bearings, and/or high, flexible structures) must be inspected for possible damage.
September is National Preparedness Month, and that's a good time for a refresher on what actions to take in various situations. For instance, while tornado planning calls for families to take shelter in basements, do your residents and family know that this is not a good plan in the event of an earthquake?
Stay tuned for some important news on the emergency management front!
How Does the Cost of Borrowing Affect Your Township?
With Standard & Poor's downgrading the U.S. government's credit rating, many in local government are wondering what the impact will be on their cost of business.
Even though the other two major rating agencies have kept the U.S. government at a triple-A rating, which is the highest possible, the stock market responded to the Standard & Poor's downgrade with a wild rollercoaster-like ride for investors.
While interest rates are expected to stay low for another year, there is no doubt that the cost of borrowing does go up as your credit score goes down. Every citizen lives with this reality every day, and government is no different.
Township officials should be sure to consult with their financial advisers as they craft their 2012 budget and consider debt service adjustments.
Hear About Township Topics on the Lincoln Radio Journal
One of PSATS' many responsibilities is to spread the word on how current issues affect both township government AND township residents.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Lowman Henry on the Lincoln Radio Journal. Topics included how municipalities fared in the new state budget, mandates, common-sense reforms, the Marcellus Shale impact fee, and the Marcellus Shale zoning issue.
You're welcome to listen to the show here.
Marcellus Shale: Pennsylvania Gets It Right This Time!
I was proud to have been appointed by Gov. Tom Corbett to represent townships’ and local governments’ perspective on the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.
We were tasked with coming up with a common-sense blueprint for Pennsylvania’s future as it relates to the Marcellus Shale experience — one that demonstrates that we have learned from our past (coal, timber, and steel industrial expansions).
With an eye to the future, we crafted a balanced, smart, and safe plan for Pennsylvania that:
1) protects our precious natural resources (water, air, and land);
2) helps spur economic development opportunities and job creation;
3) makes us a player in an American energy strategy to reduce our national dependence on foreign oil; and
4) most importantly, recognizes the significant role that local government plays in preserving the a community’s quality of life. The embracing of a local impact fee will alleviate potential property tax increases. It will also preserve local common-sense zoning, rather than moving toward a state-mandated, “one-size-fits-all” solution. All of this will ensure that our citizens maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impacts from Marcellus Shale drilling.
Many ideas from all walks of life, including significant input from previously announced legislative proposals, have been incorporated into this “next step” document that sets the stage for a final solution to be crafted by the governor and legislature for the benefit of Pennsylvania’s future.
Now Showing: More Members Only Info Online
If you're a frequent visitor to the PSATS website, you've probably noticed some changes -- namely, more content listed under each of the menu tabs across the middle of the page.
Once upon a time (OK, it was last week), lots of valuable information was housed on a Members Only page on the old PSATS website. This information is now available on the new site, and every visitor can see it listed. These items appear in gold text on the drop-down menus and have a lock symbol after the title.
However, ONLY PSATS MEMBERS have FULL ACCESS to this information.
How it works
If you're a PSATS member, enter your member number and password on the home page. A screen will appear telling you about the Members Only items. From there, simply click on any item in either of the menus -- across the top of the page or on the left -- to view the content.
If you don't know your member ID and password, just email ktotty@psats.org with your name, title, township, and county, and we'll get you set up in no time.
Pointing to the past
You will still notice a few areas that take you back to the old Members Only page. For instance, if you want to view our Ordinance Database, you would go to the "Member Resources" tab and choose "Document Search." You'll be redirected to the old site to access the information you're looking for. This redirect remains for one reason: PSATS is working to implement a new internal database structure, and the ordinance database is part of that. To save time and money, we're keeping the ordinance database where it is until that process is complete.
We're here to help!
If you have trouble locating an item, use the Search box on the home page. And as always, PSATS staff will be happy to help you navigate these changes, so you can also call us at (717) 763-0930.
Happy website surfing!
On the Homestretch: Wrapping Up the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
As we enter the homestretch on the governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, everyone should be assured that, on behalf of townships and local governments, PSATS continues to advocate for the protection of the quality of life for our residents and their wallets.
We continue to fight hard for local control over zoning, a reasonable impact fee to avoid property tax increases on everyone, enhanced public safety measures, and most importantly, superior environmental protection standards that ensure quality water, air, and land stewardship for future generations.
Budget Agreement: No Negative Impact for Local Government
Well, it looks like we have a new state budget agreement that greatly reduces spending without any tax increases or negative impacts to local government! There is no new natural gas revenue going to Harrisburg, and the focus for local impact fees will now point to the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission report, which is due out July 22. Expect special legislative focus on impact fees after the General Assembly's summer recess.
Senate Bill Threatens Local Government Zoning Decisions
Call Your Legislators Now and Ask that SB 1100 Be Amended!
Tuesday was Flag Day. Rather than being free to honor our flag and reflect on the democracy it represents, local government is faced with the most severe attack on local democracy in years: Statewide zoning!
Imagine zoning decisions and rules being made in Harrisburg. Imagine DEP deciding to site a low-level radioactive nuclear waste dump in your neighborhood. Think about DPW choosing your street for a halfway house for drug abusers. How about the PUC deciding where a natural gas drilling rig can be set up?! That is what we are facing! WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!
Just this week, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee passed a bill out of committee that will give the PUC the power to craft a model zoning ordinance for unconventional natural gas wells (Marcellus Shale).
Local government – zoning hearing boards and township supervisors – are the last line of defense in protecting the quality of life for our residents. You have the judgment, ability, and know-how to protect your community. You know that state law requires you to provide for every use and that overly restrictive zoning can be struck down in court. You were elected by your neighbors to protect them, and you have the common sense to do it smartly.
Please call your senator and representative and tell them that local zoning decisions should be left in the hands of local community leaders and not a one-size-fits-all bureaucracy from Harrisburg!
Take 10 minutes and make some calls to them and ask that statewide zoning be amended out of SB 1100!
On Our Way to a New & Improved Website
You may have noticed that things look a little different here at PSATS.org. We're putting together a whole new website, and we're doing that for one simple reason: to make it easier for you to find what you need, when you need it.
You'll see some changes in the coming weeks and months as we fine-tune the design and migrate information from the old site to the new. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes, and the transition is taking some time because we want to do it right.
In the meantime, some of our current menu options still link to the old site. You'll see less and less of this as the days go by. For instance, we will soon be migrating all of the information PSATS member townships currently see on the Members Only page of the old site to the new one. I'll be posting more details about that transition soon.
Check the site daily to see the latest news on our home page. And if you're not yet a Twitter user, keep a close watch on the Twitter feed on the home page. This is where you can find daily blurbs about information important to townships -- from media coverage to legislative information to updates on the innovative and interesting things townships are doing to meet their residents' needs.
Stay tuned, visit the site often for updates, and please contact us at psatsweb@psats.org to offer your feedback.
Prepping for TV's Smart Talk
I'm looking forward to appearing this evening on Smart Talk, the public television talk show hosted by Nell McCormack Abom on WITF-TV. I will be part of a discussion on the infrastructure funding crisis in PA, and the show will be structured in two segments.
The first part, at 8 p.m., will address water, sewer, and natural gas infrastructure, while the second segment, at 8:30, will focus on transportation infrastructure.
Tune in, call in with your questions to 1-800-729-7532, or submit your questions via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/witf.org) or Twitter (@witfnews). You can also email your questions to smarttalk@witf.org.
We'll be posting a link to the show after it's recorded — probably late in the day on Friday. Check back for that under "Latest News" on the home page.
Comments on PSATS' 89th Annual Conference
PSATS' 89th Annual Educational Conference is over and we are moving forward! We had visits from the new governor and lieutenant governor, as well as seven cabinet-level members of the governor's team. Our message about being partners with state government was not only heard, but embraced.
We had more than 100 scheduled educational opportunities and I'll bet an equal number unscheduled. Thanks to all who took advantage of the "Donuts with Dave" opportunity. I know you helped stabilize my cholesterol -- the doc said I was dangerously low -- and I was able to answer a lot of your questions.
The entertainment was exhilarating, the social interactions were scintillating, and the trade show was tremendous. The military tribute Tuesday morning was phenomenal by all accounts!
If you missed any of this, make your plans now to attend next year. Don't forget ... the conference is in May next year to avoid a conflict with the presidential primary.
PSATS Talks Emergency Response with Marcellus Shale Subcommittee
On April 13, we had our first meeting of the Local Impact Subcommittee of the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. PSATS has a seat at the table, making sure every member township has a voice there, and was also one of three presenters at the first session.
The focus was on emergency response and protecting our communities. Public safety is job one, and we got to show how all response is local and how local government is the foundation of the entire safety/response platform.
A future meeting will get out of Harrisburg and go "on the road." What better way to show others the local impact that we are all feeling and living?!
Get the Scoop from the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission Meeting
Check back for an update on my presentation at the Marcellus Shale Advisory Subcommittee meeting...and much more!