Here’s a roundup of the latest news and resources for Pennsylvania townships and boroughs:
Legislation and Advocacy
- Gov. Shapiro Budget Address Calls for Zoning Reform to Address Housing: Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes $53.3 billion in spending and calls for modernizing the Municipalities Planning Code to reduce regulatory barriers to housing development. (https://www.psats.org/gov-shapiro-budget-address-calls-for-zoning-reform-to-address-housing/)
- Governor Releases Housing Action Plan for Pennsylvania: The Commonwealth’s first comprehensive Housing Action Plan proposes “housing ready” designations for municipalities that modernize land use regulations and accessory dwelling unit standards. (https://www.psats.org/governor-releases-housing-action-plan-for-pennsylvania/)
- Pennsylvania’s Lead Prognosticator Has Spoken!: Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter, a forecast that PSATS hopes won’t also apply to budget negotiations in Harrisburg. (https://www.psats.org/pennsylvanias-lead-prognosticator-has-spoken/)
Grants and Funding
- All-Terrain Vehicle/Snowmobile Trail Grant Applications Available: Townships can apply through March 31, 2026, for DCNR grants to support trail planning, land acquisition, and maintenance with no matching fund requirement. (https://www.psats.org/all-terrain-vehicle-snowmobile-trail-grant-applications-available/)
- Reminder: Federal BUILD Grant Applications for Infrastructure Projects Due 2/24: Don’t miss out on the February 24 deadline to apply for $1.5 billion in federal funding available for surface transportation projects with significant local impact. (https://www.psats.org/reminder-federal-build-grant-applications-for-infrastructure-projects-due-2-24/)
Innovation and Safety
- 2026 Build a Better Mousetrap Innovation Challenge Accepting Applications: The PA Local Technical Advisory Program is seeking entries by March 6 for innovative tools or processes developed by municipal road crews to improve efficiency and safety. (https://www.psats.org/2026-build-a-better-mousetrap-innovation-challenge-accepting-applications/)
- PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Input on Traffic Safety: PennDOT is hosting an anonymous online survey through February 28 to gather feedback on driver behavior and whether municipal police should be authorized to use radar. (https://www.psats.org/penndot-invites-pennsylvanians-to-share-input-on-traffic-safety/)
Other Updates
- Don’t Miss the February 2026 Digital Edition of the Township News: The latest issue features strategies for managing volatile public meetings, complying with the Ethics Act, and utilizing document management systems for public records. (https://www.psats.org/dont-miss-the-february-2026-digital-edition-of-the-township-news/)
We hope this update provides valuable information for Montgomery County townships. Please check the PSATS website for more news and resources.