In case you missed it: this week’s good reads about Pennsylvania cities

    Happy Friday! Here’s a list of recommended reading for your weekend:

    This week, at the gun show …

    A new state law has opened up cities throughout the Commonwealth to litigation over local firearms regulations. Ordinances have been repealed in some places, but will be defended in others.

    Lancaster officials reassured taxpayers this week that liability insurance will fund their NRA court battle.

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    In nearby Conoy Township, an anonymous donor is paying for the “Welcome to Conoy Twp: THIS IS NOT A GUN FREE ZONE” road signs recently the subject of international headlines.

    Also, Northampton County will not check references on firearm license applications.Urban tech

    Cities turn to Transitmix, a web-based tool that lets users create their own bus routes. 

    Body cams are a no-go for Pittsburgh police officers – for now.Hmm.

    District attorney turned scofflaw over parking ticket.

    The legend of  “Toilet Trike Tom” continues.Taxed to the hilt

    Double-digit tax increase floated by Lancaster School District, less than a month after former Superintendent Pedro Rivera departed to head the Pennsylvania Department of Education.Bethlehem School District also wants to tax more than state law allows, while two other, smaller districts mull merging to save money.Two distressed Cambria County communities already got permission to keep taxes higher than usually allowed. One of them has been in the state’s Act 47 recovery program for cash-strapped municipalities since its inception more than 27 years ago.Blair County officials announced they’re recalculating property values, and released a tax burden study with wide-ranging findings.

    Their own state Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Blair, meanwhile leads lawmaker deliberations over a potential constitutional amendment that would give the General Assembly control over which nonprofits don’t have to pay real estate tax.

    And since it’s Valentine’s Day: more politics

    Some Scranton pensioners might pay back benefits they’ve received.Sparring over spending limits in Northampton County  Altoona flouting state law – but it’s OK. Really.

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