12/1/06-A bill that would have added 10,000 police officers across the state has died. The price tag for adding law enforcement officers would have been $450 million.
Sponsored by House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, SB812 remained in a Senate committee awaiting consideration when the session ended. House lawmakers previously sent it back to the chamber for final approval before heading to the governor.
The bill required counties to pay 30 percent – $135 million – of the cost for the new officers and municipalities would pay 20 percent – $90 million. The state would have picked up the tab for the remaining 50 percent – $225 million.
Officers would have been added during the next four years using a distribution formula that takes into account the existing number of officers, crime rate and population. That would have amounted to about 2,600 hires annually throughout the state.
The effort can be reintroduced during the regular session that begins Jan. 2.

10/30/06-House lawmakers voted 175-20 Oct. 24 to approve a bill that would add 10,000 police officers across the state. The price tag for adding law enforcement is $450 million.
SB812 now heads back to the Senate for approval of changes. If approved there, it would head to the governor’s desk.
Sponsored by House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, the bill would require counties to pay 30 percent – $135 million – of the cost for the new officers and municipalities would pay 20 percent – $90 million. The state would pick up the tab for the remaining 50 percent – $225 million.
Officers would be added during the next four years using a distribution formula that takes into account the existing number of officers, crime rate and population. That would amount to about 2,600 hires annually throughout the state.
For bill status, call (717) 787-6732.