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An Ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Article 1203, § 1203.10 of the Administrative Code by providing that the charge of the Government Review Commission include recommendations surrounding any referendum question amending the Home Rule Charter that is or will be considered during the Commission's term.
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WHEREAS, Article XIII, § 5 of the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter provides for a County Government Review Commission which is charged with studying the Charter and County government to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of County government and the Charter; and
WHEREAS, Article 1203 of the Administrative Code further provides for the membership, organization, charge, and activities of the Government Review Commission with an intent to protect the taxpayers of Allegheny County and allow those citizens better access to and a larger voice in County government; and
WHEREAS, citizen participation in County government though voting to amend the Home Rule Charter and membership on the Government Review Commission is imperative in responding to the concerns of the residents and taxpayers of this County and corresponds with the Commission's charge to make recommendations on County government and amendments to the Home Rule Charter; and
WHEREAS, a ballot question to amend a Home Rule Charter, in some cases, provides minimal direction or structure for changes to County government if the referendum passes leaving the responsibility to the governmental body with little opportunity for further input from the citizens; and
WHEREAS, the use of the Government Review Commission to make recommendations regarding direction or structure for changes to County government pursuant to a referendum question, regardless of its approval or defeat, insures that the citizens have a voice in the process and are given access to the information, data, reports, records, and other documents that ar...
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