When: Lancaster City Council meeting, Dec. 12.
What happened: Council passed a resolution supporting House Bill 1630, proposed legislation introduced by state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, former Lancaster City Council president, to create a state office for new Pennsylvanians. The office would encourage the attraction, retention and inclusion of immigrants and refugees within the state.
Why it matters: Roughly 7% of Pennsylvania’s population is foreign-born, constituting over 8% of the state’s workforce and paying $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes.
Lancaster home rule commission will vote next month whether to draft a charter [Lancaster Watchdog]
Local impact: The resolution states Lancaster has benefited greatly from refugees and immigrants from more than 30 countries who have chosen to make the city their home in the last three decades, and immigrants and refugees contribute to Lancaster’s vibrancy, prosperity and civic life.
Public comment: Smith-Wade-El visited council, saying the bill’s idea is simple. “Without immigrants and refugees, Pennsylvania doesn’t grow. Our economy doesn’t grow. Our population doesn’t grow.”
Quotable: “And so there ought to be an office in the government of the commonwealth that ensures a few things: That we are the welcoming place to immigrants and refugees that we commit to being, and that the commitment is spread throughout all departments and coordinated within that office so that organizations such as Church World Service, such as the Refugee Center, have one point of contact within the government of the commonwealth to make sure they can best serve their clients and to advance the interest of this population,” he said. The bill has been referred to the House State Government Committee for consideration.
Sewer rates: Council heard a first reading on the city’s proposed sewer rates for 2024. For the first 25,000 gallons, the cost per 1,000 gallons would go from $10.90 to $12. On average, there would be a $4.50 increase per month for city residents. The bill will be voted on Dec. 19 and, if approved, new sewer rates would be effective Jan. 8.
Lancaster city seeks to ease street tree maintenance burden for property owners
More: The proposed sewer fee increase is the only higher fee proposed by Mayor Danene Sorace this year. Last year, every fee increased, resulting in a $220 fee increase for all municipal services.
Proposed budget: The proposed 2024 budget will also move to a vote at council’s last meeting of the year, Dec. 19. The city’s proposed combined operating budget of $145.99 million does not call for a property tax increase. The meeting, open to the public, is held at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers and will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page.
Gunzenhauser Bakery building damaged in 1999 fire set for demolition
