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Pennsylvania Statutes Title 53 P.S. Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Corporations § 28102. Purpose and legislative intent

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Policy.--It is hereby declared to be a public policy of the Commonwealth to exercise its retained sovereign powers with regard to taxation and matters of Statewide concern in a manner calculated to foster the fiscal integrity of cities of the second class to assure that these cities provide for the health, safety and welfare of their citizens;  pay principal and interest owed on their debt obligations when due;  meet financial obligations to their employees, vendors and suppliers;  and provide for proper financial planning procedures and budgeting practices.  The inability of a city of the second class to provide essential services to its citizens as a result of a fiscal emergency is hereby determined to affect adversely the health, safety and welfare not only of the citizens of that municipality but also of other citizens in this Commonwealth.

(b) Legislative intent.--

(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to:

(i) provide cities of the second class with the legal tools with which such cities can perform essential municipal services;  and

(ii) foster sound financial planning and budgetary practices for cities of the second class, which cities shall be charged with the responsibility to exercise efficient and accountable fiscal practices, such as:

(A) increased managerial accountability;

(B) consolidation or elimination of inefficient city programs and authorities;

(C) reevaluation of tax exemption policies with regard to real property taxes;

(D) increased collection of existing tax revenues;

(E) privatization or outsourcing of appropriate city services;

(F) sale of city assets as appropriate;

(G) improvement of procurement practices, including competitive bidding procedures;  and

(H) review of compensation and benefits of city employees;  and

(iii) exercise its powers consistent with the rights of citizens to home rule and self-government.

(2) The General Assembly further declares that this legislation is intended to remedy the apparent fiscal emergency confronting cities of the second class through the implementation of sovereign powers of the Commonwealth.  To safeguard the rights of the citizens to the electoral process and home rule, the General Assembly intends to exercise its power in an appropriate manner with the elected officers of cities of the second class.

(3) It is further declared that this legislation is intended to operate concurrently and equally with the act of July 10, 1987 (P.L. 246, No. 47),   1 known as the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act.

1  53 P.S. § 11701.101 et seq.
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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 53 P.S. Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Corporations § 28102. Purpose and legislative intent - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-53-ps-municipal-and-quasimunicipal-corporations/pa-st-sect-53-28102/

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