Act 115 amends Act 442 of 1967, as amended, to provide that in addition to acquiring land and easements, dedicated open space taxes may now be used to develop, improve, design, engineer and maintain open space acquired with dedicated open space taxes in order to provide open space benefits. It also clarifies that voter created open space taxes may only be repealed by voter referendum.
An Act amending the act of January 19, 1968 (1967 P. L. 992, No. 442), entitled "An act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the counties thereof to preserve, acquire or hold land for open space uses," expanding its scope to include all local government units throughout this Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Act 154 of 2006 facilitates local government partnerships with land trusts. Act 154 was passed unanimously by both the Senate and House, then signed into law by the Governor on November 29, 2006. (The act amends Pennsylvania's open space law.)
Act 4 provides a process for freezing the millage on open space properties. It amends the act of January 19, 1968 (1967 P.L.992, No.442), entitled, as amended, "An act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the local government units thereof to preserve, acquire or hold land for open space uses," defining "municipal corporation"; further providing for property acquired in fee simple and for local taxing option; and making an editorial change.
As amended through 2013, an act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the local government units thereof to preserve, acquire or hold land for open space uses. It is the purpose of this act to clarify and broaden the existing methods by which the Commonwealth and its local government units may preserve land in or acquire land for open space uses.
It took nearly ten years to construct a measure with enough support that the legislature would put it on the ballot. Passed with 56% of the vote in 2008, the amendment increased the state sales tax by 0.375 percent for 25 years and divided the increased revenue into four dedicated funds for clean water, habitat, parks and trails, and historic preservation.
The Conservation Almanac is a growing repository of information and data about land conservation in America. The data provides a context for assessing the impacts of conservation and the growing number of state and local conservation funding measures. This website provides analysis and maps the results of federal, state, and local funding for land conservation since 1998.
This guide for town government officials provides advice to local governments in designing ballot measures. The Trust for Public Land has condensed their experience into a simple 5-step guide for town officials in New York State. This guide should help you proceed with more confidence and avoid common pitfalls that could compromise the success of conservation finance proposals.
This report provides municipal officials with basic information related to planning for and implementing an effective open space program.
The LandVote® Database provides the most comprehensive history available for state and local conservation finance measures that have been placed on the ballot.
Fact sheet on appropriate levels of engagement and activities for nonprofits to participate in lobbying and ballot measure campaigns.
Reviews public financing options for open space protection with a heavy emphasis on referenda. Includes case studies and sample municipal ordinances to place a question on the ballot and to implement voter approved dedicated taxes and borrowing. 34 pages.
Pennsylvanians may vote to establish a tax specifically dedicated to open space protection in their municipality. Voters may also approve borrowing by their county or municipality for conservation projects. (Print version of CT guide)
Presentation at 2009 PALTA Conference on winning local ballot measures to finance parks and land conservation. Includes services available from TPL, and case study of the sucessful Adams County Bond Measure in 2008.