HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
The law requires that every state and independent agency have a central office in the capital city limits. As workers fill those offices, Harrisburg's daytime population nearly doubles.
State Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland) is concerned that several City Council members want a commuter tax to solve Harrisburg's fiscal crisis.
"We have to decide whether commuters are a burden that ought to be taxed, or something you want," Grell said.
Council member Susan Brown-Wilson publicly complained that non-city residents stress city resources and don't contribute.
"People complain about us, but they come here and use everything we have," she said at a July 12 meeting.
So, Grell is now looking at the law that requires offices to be in Harrisburg. He said he's sure the suburbs would welcome those workers with open arms and open buildings.
"I think some of the suburban office parks could really sharpen their pencils and be very, very competitive," he said. "And you have to look into the issue of parking."
The city is feeling the heat from the state. Sen. Jeffrey Piccola has a bill to take it over and enforce the act 47 plan. Rep. Ron Marsico has a bill to bar a commuter tax.
Councilwoman Eugenia Smith has noticed the pressure and is applying a bit of her own. Smith did not return several calls seeking comment, but she played the race card in an interview with the The Patriot-News by suggesting suburban lawmakers are ganging up on Harrisburg because it is predominately run by African-Americans. She suggested they wouldn't be opposed to a commuter tax if Stephen Reed was still mayor.
"I can assure you that myself and my colleagues would be having the same opposition to a Mayor Reed commuter tax as we do to a Linda Thompson possible commuter tax," Grell said.
Regardless of what happens with a commuter tax, Grell says he's running the numbers. He wants to know what the state pays to lease buildings in Harrisburg. Perhaps it could save money with offices outside the city.
