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For Immediate
Release
6/22/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Pileggi
Constable Bill Goes to Governor's Desk
HARRISBURG -- The
General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved legislation sponsored by Senator
Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester, Delaware) that would increase the compensation of
constables for the first time in more than a decade. The bill now goes to the
Governor for his signature.
For
many Pennsylvanians, constables are the first line of contact with the
judicial system. They are elected officers of the court, and perform
functions such as service of warrants, transportation of inmates, and
court security. As of 2004, there were 3,375 constables and deputy
constables registered with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency.
"Constables provide vital, and often dangerous, services for our court
system," said Pileggi. "They receive no government provided salary,
health insurance, or pension. They must provide everything for their
office at their own expense, including vehicles, office rent, and all
necessary equipment, even though they are elected."
Constables only receive pay for work they do, in accordance with a
statutory fee schedule. The last time the General Assembly reviewed any
portion of the constable fee schedule was in 1994, adopting a fee
schedule first discussed in 1987. In that time period, the Consumer
Price Index has risen over 32%. "If constables did not provide these
services, counties and court officials would have to supply them at
direct expense to taxpayers," noted Pileggi.
The
Governor now has 10 days to sign or veto the measure.
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