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The Senate this week unanimously passed House Bill 500, which would create the Elm Street Program.

The program would provide $5 million in residential reinvestment grants during the 2003-2004 fiscal year for municipalities located near commercial and economic development areas to upgrade physical infrastructure such as streetscapes, sidewalks and lighting, as well as improve individual housing facades and make exterior housing repairs.

The legislation would also provide basic grants to eligible municipalities for the hiring of a professional Elm Street Manager, as well as planning and development grants for the following initiatives:

§        Marketing and promoting urban industrial living.

§        Leveraging private and public investment for revitalization projects.

§        Promoting home ownership and other housing options.

§        Addressing social and economic concerns.

§        Achieving consistency with existing commercial and residential revitalization efforts.

The Elm Street Act would build on Pennsylvania’s Main Street Program (Act 39 of 2002), which revitalizes commercial downtown areas.

House Bill 500 has been returned to the House for concurrence in Senate amendments.

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The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 877, which would prohibit the employment or continued employment of a law enforcement officer convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.  The Senate also unanimously approved the original version.  The bill, signed in the Senate and returned to the House, would also detail procedures for dismissing and suspending an officer who falls within the provisions of this bill.

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