Local fire and emergency services continue to struggle with a lack of sustainable funding, often resulting in staffing shortages and increased response times. 
 
To help rectify this situation, the General Assembly increased the legal limit that certain boroughs may levy for the dedicated fire tax from 3 mills to 10 mills and the emergency services tax from one-half mill to 5 mills last year via Act 54 of 2024, an amendment to the Fiscal Code. However, Act 54 only applied to boroughs that are located within counties which are contiguous to a city of the first class (Philadelphia).  
 
As the financial challenges facing our fire and emergency services are widespread across the Commonwealth, I intend to introduce legislation to amend the Borough Code to increase the statutory maximum amount for special purpose fire and emergency services taxes for all boroughs in the same manner as was authorized by Act 54 of last year. Similar legislation applicable to second class townships (HB 393), was introduced by Rep. Pielli and passed the House earlier this year.
 
Please join me in supporting this critical measure which will enable all boroughs to better support their fire and emergency services.