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For Immediate Release
February 11, 2004
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Bill to Expand Parking Authority
Membership Eligibility Sent to Governor
White, Travaglio work to resolve
Butler Parking Authority residency dilemma.
Harrisburg – Legislation that would
expand parking authority membership eligibility was approved by the
General Assembly and sent to the governor for his signature this week,
said state Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) and Rep. Guy Travaglio (D-11).
Monday's final passage in the Senate
and House of Representatives of House Bill 1785 will resolve the
residency issue that has prevented the chairman of the City of Butler
Parking Authority from voting on board matters, the lawmakers said.
The bill will permit persons
maintaining a business in a municipality to become a member of the
municipality’s parking authority board. Current law requires board
members to be residents of the county in which the authority is located.
Butler Parking Authority Chairman John J. Chiprean’s family has operated
Miller's Shoes on Main Street for three generations, but he lives just
beyond the Butler County line in Richland, Allegheny County.
"No state law
should prevent citizens who are obviously committed to the community
from volunteering for community service. I commend Representative
Travaglio for working to pass this bill in the House and I was pleased
that I was able to get quick action in the Senate," said White.
"The Chiprean
family has been a presence in Butler for years, with family members
investing their business dollars and their time in the community.
Passage of this legislation sends the message that the state wants to
encourage community service, not put up hurdles to it," said Travaglio.
The bill retains the requirement that a
majority of board members be residents of the municipality in which the
parking authority is located.
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