House Republican Policy Committee Chairman David H. Rowe and Representative Brenda Pugh announced on April 6 that they will host a hearing titled “Small Communities, Big Costs: Reforming the Rain Tax to Make PA More Affordable” to discuss ways to reduce the impact of the so-called “rain tax” on smaller communities.
The event aims to address concerns about how stormwater management fees, commonly referred to as the rain tax, affect residents and local governments in less populated areas. Lawmakers say that reforming these fees could help make Pennsylvania more affordable for small towns.
Testifiers scheduled for the hearing include Chet Mozloom, executive director of Lands at Hillside and board member of a sewer authority; Mike Stash, supervisor of Lehman Township; and Romilda Crocamo, manager of Luzerne County. The hearing is set for Tuesday, April 7 at 9 a.m. at the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston.
Organizers plan to livestream the proceedings online if there are no technical difficulties. The committee encourages community members interested in learning more about potential reforms or sharing their experiences with stormwater fees to attend or view the stream.
The discussion is part of ongoing efforts by state lawmakers to examine policies that affect affordability and quality of life in Pennsylvania’s smaller municipalities.
