For Immediate Release
September 27, 2011
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Senate Passes Two Brubaker Bills To Save Local Tax Dollars

HARRISBURG – The Senate passed two bills today that would streamline local government operations and save taxpayer dollars, according to the sponsor of the bills Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36).

Under current law, municipalities must go through a bidding process that includes multiple newspaper advertisements, sealed bids and additional meetings to make purchases or enter into contracts that exceed $10,000. School districts must meet similar requirements for purchases and contracts that exceed $4,000.

Senate Bills 290 and 293 would increase these limits to $18,500 and allow for annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. Brubaker said the changes would allow municipalities and school districts to use fewer taxpayer dollars for newspaper advertisements and increase local government efficiency.

"The current process requires local governments to spend a great deal of time and taxpayer dollars to solicit bids for relatively small purchases and contracts," Brubaker said. "Local governments should still communicate contracts to the public to ensure taxpayers get the best deal possible, but these bills would reduce some of the costly mandates and provide the flexibility to effectively manage our tax dollars."

Senate Bills 290 and 293 were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.                      

CONTACT:

Kristin Crawford
(717) 787-4420