×

State: $600 million to cover places without police

HARRISBURG (AP) — It costs $600 million a year for state troopers to provide full-time police services in nearly 1,300 municipalities, the state police commissioner said Thursday at a Senate budget hearing.

Commissioner Col. Tyree Blocker broke down the per-person — also known as per capita — cost at $234 annually for full-time services to 2.5 million Pennsylvania residents living in those municipalities.

This is the first time a per capita figure has been disclosed and the first update of a total cost for full-time municipal services in several years. Blocker said state police wanted to be transparent as lawmakers debate the governor’s proposal to charge an annual $25 per capita state fee for municipalities getting full-time state police services.

Blocker said the state police will continue to provide coverage to any municipality that requests it.

Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Reading, asked what would happen if a midsized city requests state police coverage.

“We would look at that very critically,” said Blocker. “Pennsylvania State Police has always had a can-do attitude.”

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, asked whether the $25 fee is simply a “revenue-raiser.”

Blocker said he has full confidence in Gov. Tom Wolf and the Legislature to debate the proposed fee.

Wolf proposed the $25 fee as part of the next state budget. Wolf would bill the assessment to the municipality and not to residents themselves. But the cost would be reflected in a municipal budget and the taxes levied to support it. The proposal would generate $63 million in state revenue. A portion of that revenue would go to train 100 new troopers.

Another 400 municipalities rely on state troopers for part-time services. They aren’t affected by the governor’s fee proposal.

The overall state police budget would be $1.2 billion in fiscal 2017-18. More than $700 million would come from the Motor License Fund built on state gasoline taxes and motorist fees. Several senators said the state police outlay is drawing away revenue needed for road and bridge work.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today