Harrisburg  - As part of his efforts to provide local governments flexibility from state mandates and save taxpayers money, Senate Local Government Committee Chairman Bob Regola (R-39) coordinated the introduction of a bipartisan 16-bill package raising  the levels at which municipalities must go through the formal bidding process when purchasing products or contracting for services.

Republican Lisa Baker (R-20) is among 27 senators of both parties who have signed on to the bill.

Currently, anytime a municipality plans to purchase an item above $10,000, it must go through the bidding process by advertising twice in a newspaper, receiving sealed bids by vendors, and voting at a public meeting on the lowest bid.  Senate Bills 1071 to 1086 would amend the various local government codes -- including those for counties, cities, townships, boroughs and school districts -- by raising from $10,000 to $25,000 the level at which local governments must go through the bidding process.  The bills also increase the range requiring written or telephonic quotes from $4,000 to $10,000 to $7,000 to $25,000.  Additionally, the bid limit thresholds would annually be adjusted by the Department of Labor and Industry based upon the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) -- thus negating the need to regularly address this issue.

"It has been 17 years since the General Assembly last addressed this issue," said Sen. Regola.  "It's time that we provide local governments the flexibility they need so that they can do their jobs without being constrained by red tape.  Furthermore, the ability to make relatively small purchases without the time and expense of advertising and bidding will be more efficient and save money for municipalities.  Savings to the districts ultimately means saving our taxpayers money."

Senator Regola coordinated the introduction of the 16-bill package with the following Senators:  Baker (R-20), Brubaker, (R-36), Corman (R-34), Eichelberger (R-30), Ferlo (D-38), Folmer (R-48), Fontana (D-42), Gordner (R-27), Robbins (R-50), and Waugh (R-28).  Overall, 27 Senators are sponsoring the package of bills.

"With the large number of mandates placed on local governments and the limited amount of state dollars available to assist them, it is important that we find ways to save taxpayers' money without losing accountability," said Sen. Regola.  "This package will do just that."

The Senate Local Government Committee plans to meet on September 26th to take up the legislation.