Schwank introduces key legislation

Bill would provide equitable state police coverage for municipalities without police

Sen. Judy Schwank proposed a bill to ensure state police have sufficient resources to provide public safety services.

Schwank (D-Berks) said Senate Bill 382 would offset funds the state provides to municipalities from motor license revenue in the same amount as the value of the state police coverage to any municipality with a population of 5,000 or more.

“My bill would amend the Liquid Fuels Tax Municipal Allocation Law to reduce Motor License payments to affected municipalities in a direct dollar-for-dollar relation to the costs to provide state police coverage,” she said.

For example, if State Police determined the per capita statewide coverage cost is $70, a municipality with a population of 5,000 that relies on State Police for primary coverage would see its liquid fuels funding reduced by $350,000. The offset would remain in the Motor License Fund, where it could then be used to cover State Police operations.

The bill is a reintroduction of SB841, which Schwank introduced in the 2013-2014 session. The bill was referred to the Law and Justice Committee, but was not acted on.