Section 42102 - Purpose and legislative intent(a)Policy.--It is hereby declared to be a public policy of the Commonwealth to exercise its retained sovereign powers with regard to taxation and matters of Statewide concern in a manner calculated to foster the fiscal integrity of cities of the third class to assure that they: (1) provide for the health, safety and welfare of their residents;(2) pay principal and interest owed on their debt obligations when due;(3) meet financial obligations to their employees, vendors and suppliers; and(4) provide for proper financial planning procedures and budgeting practices. The inability of a city of the third class to provide essential services to its residents as a result of a fiscal emergency is determined to affect adversely the health, safety and welfare not only of the residents of the city, but also of other residents of this Commonwealth.
(b)Legislative intent.--(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to:(i) provide cities of the third class with the legal tools with which they can perform essential municipal services; and(ii) foster sound financial planning and budgetary practices for cities of the third class, which cities will be charged with the responsibility to exercise efficient and accountable fiscal practices, such as:(A) increased managerial accountability;(B) consolidation or elimination of inefficient city programs and authorities;(C) reevaluation of tax exemption policies with regard to real property taxes;(D) increased collection of existing tax revenues;(E) privatization or outsourcing of appropriate city services;(F) sale of city assets as appropriate;(G) improvement of procurement practices, including competitive bidding procedures; and(H) review of compensation and benefits of city employees.(2) This act is intended to remedy the apparent fiscal emergency confronting cities of the third class through the implementation of sovereign powers of the Commonwealth. To safeguard the rights of the residents of this Commonwealth to the electoral process and home rule, the General Assembly intends to exercise its power in an appropriate manner with the elected officers of cities of the third class. 2018, Oct. 24, P.L. 751, No. 124, § 102, imd. effective.