“This funding is about looking out for the people who look out for us every day,” DePasquale said. “If the money was not available, the retirement of a lot of police officers and firefighters would be in jeopardy.”
The $299.1 million in state pension aid went to 1,495 municipalities and regional departments to support pension plans covering police officers, paid firefighters and non-uniformed employees.
“Without this aid, communities would have to rely more heavily on local taxes to fund their employee retirement plans, some of which are already struggling to meet obligations,” DePasquale added. “That’s why the Pennsylvania General Assembly must enact a statewide municipal pension reform plan.”
In November, DePasquale announced the release of $55.1 million in volunteer firefighters’ relief association funding. The money helps to save lives and protect property by funding equipment purchases, critical training and insurance for volunteer firefighters and emergency service providers.
The pension aid and volunteer firefighter funding comes from a 2 percent state tax on casualty and fire insurance premiums paid to out-of-state insurance companies. In addition to distributing the state aid each fall, the Department of the Auditor General audits local government pension plans and volunteer firefighters’ relief associations.
The following was released near $1,800,000 to those in Schuylkill County:
Posted from PAAuditor.gov