Committee Approves Reimbursements for County Officials

Senator honors Meadville "native son" former Governor Raymond Shafer

The Senate Local Government Committee approved a two-bill package introduced by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) that would amend the County Code and the Second Class County Code to increase the reimbursement county officers receive for attending statewide conventions as part of the Senate's activities during the session week of March 31.

The Senate also held a special commemorative ceremony on Tuesday to honor the memory of former Governor and Meadville "native son" Raymond P. Shafer.

The legislative package (Senate Bills 1334 and 1335) approved by the Local Government Committee also includes county directors of veterans affairs at the same levels as other county officers attending conventions, according to Senator Robbins.

Currently under the County Code, there is a three-tiered approach for county officers receiving reimbursement for attending conventions: 3rd and 4th class county officers receive $600; 5th and 6th class county officers receive $500; and 7th and 8th class county officers receive $400. Furthermore, county directors of veterans' affairs ($100) and county probation officers ($10) receive a flat reimbursement for attending conventions.

"I strongly believe that veterans' affairs and probation and parole officials should have the same standing as their peers when it comes to receiving these reimbursements," said Senator Robbins, Chairman of the Local Government Commission. "Overall, we need to look at and increase these reimbursement rates."

Senate Bill 1334 would do the following:

Increase the amount county officers from 7th and 8th class counties would be reimbursed for attending conventions from $400 to $450;
Place county directors of veterans affairs at the same levels as other county officers attending conventions; and
Increase from $10 to $250 the reimbursement for county probation and parole officers attending statewide conventions.

Senate Bill 1335 amends the Second Class County Code by increasing the threshold for county probation and parole officers attending statewide conventions from $10 to $250, bringing it in-line with the above mentioned legislation. The Second Class County Code already provides reimbursement for county directors of veterans' affairs from 2nd Class Counties ($1,000) and 2nd Class A Counties ($800).

On Tuesday, the Senate adopted a Resolution offered by Senator Robbins commemorating the life and achievements of Raymond Shafer, who served as Crawford County District Attorney, state Senator from the 50th District (currently represented by Senator Robbins), Lieutenant Governor and Governor. A decorated World War II veteran, Governor Shafer commanded the boat that brought General Douglas MacArthur back to Corregidor and personally escorted him ashore to fulfill his famous promise: "I shall return."

As part of the ceremony, Senator Robbins introduced Meadville residents Diane Shafer Domnick and her husband James Domnick to the Senate. Diane is the daughter of former Governor Shafer.

"It was truly a privilege for me to participate in the ceremony honoring the memory of Meadville's native son, a great Pennsylvanian, family man, scholar, war hero, state Senator, Lieutenant Governor and Governor – Raymond P Shafer," Senator Robbins said.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322