LTE: Funded and Unfunded Mandates

With federal and state budget cutbacks all too often the burden falls back on county and local government to provide mandated services without funding, often resulting in higher local and county government taxes. 

In July 2005 the Commonwealth passed Act 57 of 2005 which amended the County Code mandating that third to seventh class counties District Attorneys be employed full time and set a salary for the position.  Prior to this, the counties were able to hire the District Attorney on a part-time basis and could maintain their private practice. 

With this mandate came the promise that the Commonwealth would reimburse the County for 65 percent of the cost of the full time District Attorney. At the time this lowered the direct cost for the counties by approximately 15 percent. 

In July 2011, according to Commissioner Paul Corbin and Mark McCracken, the Commonwealth finally reimbursed their respective Counties through 2009.  However, Clearfield and Jefferson County are both still owed approximately $105,000. respectively for 2010 . 

The Commonwealth received over $700 million in tax receipts which were unanticipated for the last fiscal year.  The Commonwealth needs to meet their obligation and pay the Counties the amount past due and place the amount due in 2011 in escrow so they can stay current with their obligations. Otherwise, we are left to pay for their mandate. 

We ask that you contact your State Legislators, (Senator Joe Scarnati/ Don White and Rep. Matt Gabler/Sam Smith/ Camille George ), to meet their fiduciary responsibility. 

John Balliet

Executive Director

Taxpayers United for Representation Now (TURN, Inc)

DuBois