Local governments in Potter County have joined a statewide movement in
opposition to a plan that has been hatched in Harrisburg to force many residents
to pay an annual tax for Pa. State Police coverage. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed
2019 budget includes a proposal to require residents in townships and boroughs
that do not have local police departments to pay an $8.00 fee to support state
police coverage. Wolf floated the proposal two years ago and received little
support from the state legislature, due to its impact on smaller, cash-strapped
communities. This year’s plan may be more palatable to lawmakers because it
holds the fee at $8.00 per-capita for municipalities with fewer than 2,000
residents, while imposing a higher tax on more populous townships and
borough.
In Potter County, the annual fees would total as follows:
Abbott, $1,904;
Allegany, $3,320; Austin, $4,432; Bingham, $5,448; Clara, $1,568; Eulalia,
$7,064; Genesee, $6,296; Harrison, $8,184; Hebron, $4,688; Hector, $3,056;
Homer, $3,392; Keating, $2,456; Oswayo Boro, $1,104; Oswayo Twp., $2,200; Pike,
$2,592; Pleasant Valley, $680; Portage, $1,792; Sharon, $6,832; Stewardson,
$584; Summit, $1,472; Sylvania, $600; Ulysses Twp., $5,064; West Branch, $3,144;
and Wharton, $776.
