| Legislative Update |
"Our communities have outgrown the boundaries that divide them"
"Crime serves as a good example of a problem that does not respect municipal boundaries," 10,000 Friends Board Member Terry Kauffman told the House Urban Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Cities, Third Class. "More and more suburban municipalities that once considered themselves havens of security now find themselves fighting crime problems that spill over from nearby cities and boroughs. Yet police departments are divided by arbitrary boundaries that keep them from working together effectively. Too often, a suspect wanted for armed robbery in one municipality will be pulled over for a traffic violation in a neighboring municipality and released because the two police departments are not communicating effectively." Click here for the full testimony, presented by Kauffman, manager of the Borough of Mount Joy.
House Resolution 180 calls for study of local government
If House Resolution 180 passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania will submit the names of two citizens to serve on a Commission to study local governance and promote regional collaboration in the delivery of municipal services and the execution of local governance. HR 180, sponsored by Rep. John Yudichak, passed unanimously in the House in September. Please contact your Senator to encourage passage of this resolution in the Senate.
Forum promotes green buildings
Buildings and their construction account for nearly half of all the greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumed in this country each year. U.S. annual energy consumption is  projected to increase by 37% and greenhouse gas emissions by 36% over the next 20 years. 10,000 Friends has joined the Green Building Forum, led by AIA Pennsylvania and the Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh, to encourage the legislature to promote "green" buildings (High Performance State Funded Building Standards and High Performance Building Tax Credit legislation). The goal is to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs and contribute to sustainable economic development throughout our cities, towns and rural communities. The Forum is working to make the legislation a priority in the fall Special Session on Energy. For more information about the bills introduced in the Special Session, visit the AIA website.
Your input is vital! To find your legislator and get copies of introduced legislation, visit the State General Assembly website. As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information.
10,000 Friends has produced a pocket-sized guide to our state leaders. If you need the 2007-08 Legislative Directory, please contact us at 10,000 Friends |
| Planning Beyond Boundaries Appendix Available |
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In 2002, when 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania published Planning Beyond Boundaries, a comprehensive manual on multi-municipal planning, we anticipated that future contributions would be added to address specific topics and keep the manual current. Our most recent addition is "Planning Together to Survive Zoning Challenges," by Michael Frank.
It addresses key questions municipalities confront as they develop multi-municipal plans: How much new housing represents a "fair share" of regional housing growth? How much land should be included in higher density districts of Designated Growth Areas? What lot sizes and densities are compatible with the protection of farmland and natural resources in Rural Resource Areas? Practical guidelines for answering such questions are based on recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions. Download a digital version of the appendix, or the entire Planning Beyond Boundaries, at the 10,000 Friends website |
| Good Reads |
Expanding the meaning of common good
David Rusk, former mayor of Albuquerque and proponent of regionalization, spoke to community leaders in Wilkes-Barre last week and offered this suggestion: Create "communities of common interest." Residents of several municipalities could debate and vote on regionalizing a given service. The decision would still rest in local hands, but it would rest in everyone's hands. To read the full Times Leader article, click here.
Townships, city's police mull united force in York County
Several local suburban police departments in York County have expressed strong interest in consolidating into a regional force. For the first time in recent memory, a regionalization proposal would include York city. Please click here for the York Daily Record article on the subject and here for an editorial.
 Willing officials and engaged citizens can lead to cooperation
The Brookings and Economy League reports and their critique of Pennsylvania's economic situation offer good reasons for exploring cooperative ventures. Such efforts, however, don't just happen. They require local officials willing to put in the time and effort necessary to lay the groundwork. And it doesn't hurt to have informed and engaged citizens and businesses with an understanding of the advantages of efficient government. For the full New Castle News editorial, click here.
And if these aren't enough ...
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| Less Auto-Dependent Development A Climate Change Strategy |
Meeting the growing demand for conveniently located homes in walkable neighborhoods could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive, shrinking the nation's carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices, according to a team of leading urban planning researchers.
According to Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, people who move into compact, "green neighborhoods" are making as big a contribution to fighting global warming as those who buy the most efficient hybrid vehicles, but remain in car-dependent areas. For more information, visit Smart Growth America. |
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As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information. |
| 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania |
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10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders. Visit our website.
 The Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania (RenewPA) is an initiative of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. RenewPA is dedicated to building partnerships and coalitions to improve the competitiveness of our regional economies, and the health and quality of life of our communities. Visit our website to learn more. | |
Fall 2007 proves to be a busy time at 10,000 Friends. Please take a look at legislative efforts underway, important new research and a feast of 'good reads' -- articles from around the state that demonstrate that Pennsylvanians are working together in creative ways. 