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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2007
CONTACT:
Lee Derr, Esq.
717-787-6538
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Sen Orie Proposes Accountability and Access Reforms to Pennsylvania's Municipal Authorities

Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) today announced the introduction of two bills to strengthen the accountability of the numerous municipal authorities in the Commonwealth. "Municipal authorities often have major budgets and are responsible for far-reaching financial decisions, so they must be accountable and responsive to those they serve," Orie said. "Unfortunately, the public generally has little access to information on their local authorities, and little knowledge of their actions."

The bills are aimed at strengthening the laws relating to municipal authorities, to ensure that they are more accountable and responsive to the public and to their own incorporating municipalities.  In that regard, the first bill would require all municipal authorities to abide by open records and open meetings laws, to ensure that the public has input into the decision making process and is aware of financial decisions.

Further, authorities would be prohibited from borrowing money for operating expenses, and would have to state the debt limits of the authority in its incorporation documents.  In the future, all projects and bonds would be subject to a competitive bidding process. 

The bill would also establish tougher "conflict of interest" provisions for authority members or employees, by requiring members to have experience related to the authority's mission, and by limiting the joint holding of multiple elected offices and/or authority board memberships. The legislation would further prohibit authority board members from entering into contracts in which they have an interest. 

The second bill pertains only to authorities created by or with the city of Pittsburgh.  Not only would it impose the above requirements on these Pittsburgh-related authorities, but this second measure would also subject the creation of authorities and the retention of their officers to voter referendum.