Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

May 28, 2026

Addressing Municipal Stormwater Issues After Court Ruling

As a means to help local municipalities address complicated federal stormwater regulations, Act 68 of 2013 was passed to allow local governments the flexibility to establish stormwater authorities.

However, a recent court ruling is likely to change how stormwater authorities operate, and therefore, I have proposed legislation that can put Pennsylvania on a better path.  

In the early 2000s, the federal policy, known as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), was expanded to include more Pennsylvania municipalities that are already operating on stressed budgets. 

While it wasn’t popular – in fact several Westmoreland County House members opposed it – the new Pennsylvania law allowed local governments to move stormwater management to a different government board, which can then plan projects and seek funding. It was controversial because the authority would be able to establish fees outside of that municipality’s tax structure.

The word “fee” became an important word when West Chester University refused to pay a $132,000 invoice to West Chester Borough, arguing that the institution should not be charged taxes. The borough argued that a fee is not a tax.

Ultimately, the Commonwealth Court agreed with the university, and that opinion was affirmed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. 

The court ruling gives the General Assembly a clean slate to address the issue. My goal is to be both practical and preventative: to give lawmakers the details and data to craft clear, fair policy options so municipalities can meet stormwater requirements without creating unintended legal or financial burdens for residents and institutions. Our local governments and their residents deserve policies based on facts and proven strategies.

My legislation, House Resolution 527 calls for a comprehensive, nonpartisan study developed in partnership with academic and municipal experts to explore different stormwater models and quantify their potential impacts on municipalities, tax-exempt institutions and property owners.

The proposal directs legislative committees to consider legal distinctions between taxes and fees, evaluate how different funding models would affect communities with limited tax bases, and recommend changes that protect water quality, reduce flood risk, and preserve equitable treatment for taxpayers and tax-exempt entities.

While research and studies sought in different proposals can be expensive, House Resolution 527 calls for the research to be completed by institutions of higher learning, avoiding the use of taxpayer funds.

House Resolution 527 was referred to the House Local Government Committee.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Application Deadline Extended for 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program - The deadline for senior citizens and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2025 has been extended to Dec. 31. 

Income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program increased again this year to $48,110 for both homeowners and renters. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The maximum rebate is $1,000. 

The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older.

Remember – you do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates. If you would like assistance, feel free to call my staff and I at my Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or my New Kensington office at 724-472-4102. More information can be found at pa.gov.

Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1, as required by law.

Mark Your Calendars for a Telephone Town Hall – Please be sure to join me for a telephone townhall on Monday, June 15, from 4-5 p.m. to discuss all things energy, as well as data centers. We are also likely to delve into other topics, such as Pennsylvania’s budget. Call in directly at 877-229-8493 and use ID code 122184.

Grants Available to Protect At-Risk Wildlife, Native Plants - The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Wild Resource Conservation Program (WRCP), which offers grants to support research and conservation projects that protect Pennsylvania’s native wildlife, plants and ecosystems. 

The program will invest more than $500,000 in projects across the Commonwealth that support conserving non-game animals, native plants and fungi, and invertebrates such as insects — species that are often left out of traditional conservation programs but are vital to the Commonwealth’s ecosystems.

The deadline to apply is June 30. More information can be found on the DCNR section at pa.gov. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com