THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE MAYORS' ASSOCIATION

 40 Years of Dedicated Service to Pennsylvania's Mayors

History

The Pennsylvania State Mayors' Association (PSMA) was founded by five Mayors and their supporters, who conceived of an association that would have no formal affiliation with any other municipal organization and would represent, educate, and advocate for all Mayors.  It was to be an organization of Mayors by Mayors and for Mayors.  On January 22, 1971, the PSMA was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation.  The PSMA has always operated pursuant to written Bylaws that have been revised a number of times over the years to meet the evolving needs of the Association.  Because membership in the PSMA is open to all Mayors regardless of whether they are from a borough, city, incorporated town, or home rule township, the PSMA has grown to be one of the largest organizations of Mayors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Governance

The PSMA is governed by a 22 member Executive Board composed of Mayors from every region of Pennsylvania. The composition of the Executive Board is determined initially by the PSMA members and then by the officers whom the members elect. In July of even-numbered years, the members elect officers at the annual conference. The officers consist of a President, 6 Regional Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary and Past President. These 10 officers then appoint, at an organizational meeting, the remaining members of the Executive Board from a slate of appointees proposed by the President.

Standing Committees

The PSMA has six standing committees with specific charges:  Audit, Bylaws, Conference, Mayor of the Year, Nominating, and Resolutions.  The Audit Committee examines the income and expense statements, other financial and legal documents and the records of the Association and then issues a report to the members attending the annual conference on the financial status of the Association.  The Bylaws Committee reviews annually, and updates as necessary, the articles and sections of the Bylaws of the Association. The Conference Committee assists the President in developing programs and any awards or recognition and in making the physical arrangements for the annual conference.  The Mayor of the Year Committee selects one Mayor to be honored as the Association's "Mayor of the Year."  In even-numbered years, the Nominating Committee recruits Mayors for the nine offices of the Association and nominates the recruits to be candidates for election by the members at the annual conference.  The Resolutions Committee coordinates the policy-making activities of the Association by reviewing and introducing for discussion, debate, and adoption or rejection various resolutions, which directly or indirectly affect the office and role of Mayors. 

Ad Hoc Committees

Subject to the approval of the Executive Board, the President may establish additional ad hoc committees as necessary to carry out the policies and programs of, or to further the purpose of, the Association. Currently, the PSMA has one ad hoc committee, the Ad Hoc Committee to Update the Office of Borough Mayor which is charged with the task of reviewing the Borough Code and proposing changes which would modernize the Office of Mayor.

Operations

From its inception, the PSMA has maintained its state headquarters in Bethel Park, Allegheny County, the Pennsylvania county which has the largest number of Mayors.  Staffed with an office manager and a secretary and guided by a former Mayor whose title is Executive Director, the PSMA headquarters exists to meet the day-to-day needs of Mayors throughout Pennsylvania.  It is the site of records and resources which have been accumulating over the 40 years of the PSMA's existence.  When a Mayor asks a question of a legal nature, the PSMA calls upon the services of its solicitors, Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer, II and Glenn Smith. 

Former Mayors Advisory Board

For many years, former Mayors have chosen to remain as members of the PSMA.  In recent years the PSMA has attempted to tap into their experience through the creation of a Mayors’ Advisory Board.  The main purpose of a Mayor Advisory Board would be to serve as resources and mentors for new Mayors who would like to consult with experienced Mayors.  Any Mayor who wishes to have a former Mayor as a resource, should contact the state headquarters so that one can be assigned.

Lobbying for Legislative Changes

Because of the size and breadth of its membership as well as the fact that it is not affiliated with any other municipal organizations, the PSMA is in an excellent position to lobby for legislative changes to benefit Mayors and the issues which concern them.  It was the PSMA which sponsored the bill that now gives borough Mayors the right to speak at council meetings.  With the help of State Senator John Pippy and other Senate members, the PSMA was able to get Senate Bill 938 introduced.  It is a bill which will enable a borough Mayor to receive money for performing weddings and an increase to $4,000.00 of reimbursement for attorneys' fees whenever a Mayor is forced to retain outside counsel.  In the last legislative session, the PSMA was instrumental in getting a similar bill reported out of the House Local Government and Appropriations Committees and onto the floor of the House where it was approved by a vote of 192-0.  The bill was then referred to and reported out of the Senate Local Government Committee.  It received one consideration by the Senate before being referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it remained until the session ended.  The Executive Board is optimistic that Senate Bill 938 will be considered and passed by the Senate and then the House.

The PSMA is advocating for city Mayors as well.  A representative of the PSMA attended the "Mayors Pension Summit," which was held in Pittsburgh in 2007 and attended by city Mayors from across the state.  At this Summit, the Mayors of Pennsylvania's cities resolved to develop a consensus for resolving the serious problems affecting the municipal pensions of city employees.  The PSMA looks forward to supporting legislation which will address this problem. 

The PSMA testified before the House Local Government Committee in support of a bill which would provide state monies to municipalities whose percentage of tax-exempt properties exceeds 17 percent.This legislation will benefit municipalities of both city and borough Mayors. The PSMA awaits the opportunity to support this legislation.

Relationships with Other Organizations

Throughout Pennsylvania, there are various organizations providing services to Mayors Because of its size, breadth and independence, the PSMA is uniquely positioned to work with and assist all of these organizations.  A number of county Mayors' associations regard the PSMA as their statewide affiliate.  The Allegheny County Mayors' Association and the Lackawanna County Mayors' Association are two such organizations.  One member of the PSMA Executive Board is a member of the Board of Directors of Association of the Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania giving the PSMA a link with that mayoral organization.  The PSMA is working to create a stronger tie with the League of Cities and Municipalities.

*Last updated November 2011