Public Hearing

Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee
Senate Local Government Committee
House Urban Affairs Committee
House Local Government Committee

1st Joint Public Hearing on Act 47 (Municipalities Financial Recovery Act)

Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 9:30 A.M.
House Majority Caucus Room (Rm. 140 – Main Capitol)

- 2:32 | - 1:52

Please click on links to view documents and testimony

The above-listed four committees are gathered today to conduct a joint public hearing on Act 47 of 1987 (Municipalities Financial Recovery Act).  In that municipalities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are facing financial difficulties and uncertainties, these hearings will be focused on Act 47 in terms of what it is and what it means.  Additionally, we will be looking at what Act 47 offers and does not offer with respect to the tools and options available to municipalities dealing with financial challenges.  The committee will be hearing testimony from the following individuals:

9:30 A.M. - Opening Remarks by Chairs

• Chairs of the four committees will each have an opportunity to provide brief opening remarks and thoughts.

9:45 A.M. - Overview of Act 47

• Administration/Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)

  • Secretary C. Alan Walker (Administration/DCED)

  • Frederick [Fred] A. Reddig, Executive Director (Governor's Center for Local Government Services)

• Local Government Commission
  • Michael [Mike] P. Gasbarre, Executive Director
  • David A. Greene, Legal Counsel

11:45 A.M. - 15 min. break

12:00 P.M. - Other State Programs for Municipal Financial Recovery

• Dean Kaplan, Managing Director (Strategic Consulting Group - The PFM Group, LLC)
  • Attachment

1:15 P.M. - Chapter 9 Federal Bankruptcy – Municipalities

• James [Jim] H. Roberts, Member, Chair of the Municipal Law Group (Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott, LLC)
• Juliet M. Moringiello, Professor of Law (Widener University School of Law)
• David Arthur Skeel, Professor of Law (University of Pennsylvania Law School)

Additional Information:

• Distress Determinations