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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Assisting municipalities with purchases and projects In the near future I will be introducing legislation that is part of a package with some of my Senate colleagues to raise the bid limits for all local governments. Since 1990, Pennsylvania law has set at $10,000 the level at which bidding must be conducted for most municipal projects. This means that if a public project is estimated to cost more than $10,000, a contract must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after advertisement for bids once a week for three week. In addition, telephonic quotes are required from at least three sources for projects of more than $4,000. The legislation which my colleagues and I are sponsoring would increase these bid limits to $25,000, and would also contain an annual increase based on the Consumer Price Index. The telephonic quote limit would be increased to $7,000. Increasing these thresholds would help save local governments money when it comes to advertising bids, and placing them at these levels will also give us a good starting point for further discussions on this topic. I have agreed to cosponsor the legislation which would amend the State Public School Building Authority Act as well as the Political Subdivision Joint Purchases Law, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the entire package of bills over the coming months. Providing more options to local governments Recently, I introduced legislation to allow boroughs and townships to work with nonprofit organizations for the operation and maintenance of parks and recreation areas. Representative Boyd has introduced similar legislation in the state House of Representatives. Currently, boroughs and townships may unite with other local governments to acquire property for creating, equipping, operating or maintaining a park, playground, swimming pool, indoor recreation center or other similar facility. My legislation would extend this authority to allow municipalities to cooperate with nonprofits on such projects. Recreational areas offer community gathering opportunities for families and children, but there are costs associated. Senate Bills 1002, 1003 and 1004 will give our local governments more options to provide recreational opportunities their residents want that they might not have been otherwise able to offer. In addition, it encourages even more community participation from other organizations that want to be involved. Any municipality that would choose to work with a nonprofit under this legislation would also be required to comply with applicable statutory requirements governing competitive bidding, written or telephonic price quotations and execution of contracts. Next Community Conversation to be held July 25 My next Community Conversation will be held at the Reamstown Memorial Park on July 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. These outreach events are open to everyone in the 36th District, and they are a great way for me to meet you and learn more about the issues that are most important to you. Also, they give you the opportunity to ask questions about state government, legislation and programs, and to share your concerns directly with me. My first Community Conversation in Mount Joy in June was very successful, and I am looking forward to the many other opportunities I have planned to talk and work with you. I also encourage you to contact me at any time, either by phone at 738-1600 or toll-free at 866-738-1601, by email at mbrubaker@pasen.gov, or by mail or simply stopping by at 1248 W. Main Street, Ephrata, 17522. You can also find updates and useful information at my web site, www.senatorbrubaker.com.
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