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The Burden of Municipal Police Costs: The Highest Expense for Some; Free for Others

May 15, 2017 • by Pennsylvania Economy League
PA Economy League

Early findings from PEL’s upcoming statewide distress report show that communities with their own local police force have twice the municipal tax burden of those that rely on free Pennsylvania State Police Coverage and are more likely to be distressed.Meanwhile, millions that are meant for road and bridge repairs are being drained from the state’s Motor License Fund to pay for state police costs. The fund is paid for by the gasoline tax and drivers’ license/registration fees of all Pennsylvanians. The provision of police services is an example of why the Commonwealth’s patchwork quilt system of local government laws is broken, and in this case, results in creating financial inequity between those with local police and those without.The report has been featured by major news outlets across the stateClick Here to Read the Burden of Municipal Police Costs  PEL’S STATEWIDE DISTRESS REPORT WILL BE RELEASED IN SUMMER 2017!Funded by a Coalition of Community Foundations

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