As you know, Pennsylvania is a unique state. Pennsylvania voters approved a constitutional amendment more than forty years ago allowing the governor to run for a second term.
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Since then, we have had five two-term governors. After each governor has served for two terms, the people elected a governor from another party.
How should a local municipality react to a change in administration in Harrisburg and Washington? What should your borough, township, city or county do to improve its chances to get state and federal grants?
First, have a working relationship with your state senator and representative. Meet with them on a regular basis when they are in your community. You should be nonpartisan even though they may not be. The relationship should not change if they are Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative.
Make the point early and often that you and they are both serving the individuals that live in your community.
Before you visit with your state senator or representative, analyze the need of your municipality for specific grant funds. Prioritize your needs. Do you need funds to improve your park, to purchase a piece of equipment, or to hire an additional police officer?
Tell them of specific needs for grant funds. What size grant do you need? In some instances, the senator or representative will write to a Department Secretary, e.g., DCED, DEP, PENNDOT to support your request for funds. They might inform you when state funds become available.
In some instances, state legislators have sums they can earmark for specific projects. These funds are often called by the term “WAM” or “Walking Around Money.”
With a new administration in Harrisburg, meet with new appointees. Ask for a meeting with the new Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development since this is the Department charged with helping local governments.
Make certain to attend state and regional meetings of your municipal association to meet all new appointees who might help you in your search for grants.
Meet with the regional representatives of the Departments of Community and Economic Development and Department of Environmental Protection to ask for information about grant opportunities for your municipality.
At the federal level, meet with your Congressperson when they are in their home districts. While e-mail and US mail may be effective, in Pennsylvania there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings.
At the federal Senatorial level, the individuals to get to know on a personal basis are the aides in Pennsylvania to Senator Toomey and Senator Casey. Make sure the aides are aware of your need for grant funds. Ask them to keep you informed about grant opportunities.
Do not wait. This is the time to take action to assist the citizens you serve.
(Michael A. Sand heads Sand Associates, a consulting firm which provides comprehensive services to local governments.
