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ERIC VERONIKIS, The Patriot-News
Published: Aug 8, 2011 11:48 AM

Dauphin County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Marilyn Levin criticized local state Republican lawmakers, saying they are trying to strip Harrisburg of its right to govern itself.

State Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin County and State Rep. Glen Grell, R-Hampden Township, are working on legislation that could lead to a state takeover of Harrisburg if the city does not adopt a state-approved fiscal recovery plan.

“With the state cutting financial support for vital services, such as fire and police, and attempting to strip our elected officials of pertinent authority, I believe that Sen. Piccola (and other Republican lawmakers) are playing to a small group of Tea Party extremists and he has lost any sense of moderation,” Levin said in a news release.

Piccola did not respond to an interview request for this story.

He and State Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Lower Paxton Township, also have legislation pending that would prevent Harrisburg from adopting a commuter tax to help pay down its $310 million of incinerator debt.

Grell said he is considering introducing a bill to repeal the commonwealth’s location law, which puts most state agencies in the city. He said he definitely would push the measure if Harrisburg attempts to adopt a commuter tax.

Grell said the national Democratic Party is using the Tea Party as its “whipping boy,” and now it appears the local party has adopted the same tactic.

The city had a year-and-a-half since Mayor Linda Thompson was elected to adopt a fiscal recovery plan, and the state spent a lot of money helping Harrisburg develop the Act 47 plan City Council rejected, Grell said. Thompson introduced a replacement plan for council’s consideration last week.

City officials would have nothing to worry about if they could adopt a plan, he said.

“They need to act. They need to adopt a plan and move forward,” Grell said.

Levin said the Democratic Party will not let state Republican lawmakers take away the city’s sovereignty.

“The Democratic Party has not intention of sitting idly by while Sen. Piccola attempts to turn our city over to extremist Republicans,” Levin said. “We will fight to protect democrats duly elected by the people. You will not usurp our authority.”

COMMENTS

-The problems of Harrisburg are so serious that we must seek solutions and set partisan advantage aside for a while.  We can present a persuasive message for November without innuendo. -Gaylen Bradley, Harrisburg

-Good work! – J.Young

-If we (as Democrats) would have taken care of business and not dragged our collective feet, this “takeover” wouldn’t be an issue.  But we didn’t, and now EVERYONE…the guilty and the innocent…get to suffer the consequences. -Anonymous

-Way to go Chairman Levin! – T. Hill, Harrisburg

-Thank you for standing up for our rights. We can’t allow another mess like what happened to the School District. – M. Brown, Uptown Hbg.