Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) has announced his intention to reintroduce legislation aimed at updating Pennsylvania’s requirements for local government advertising and public notices. The proposed changes would allow municipalities and other local entities to deliver required legal notices through a variety of methods, including electronic formats, rather than relying solely on print newspapers.
“This is the fourth legislative session I’ve authored this bill, and the need for action has never been more urgent,” Ortitay stated. He cited the impending closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a key factor, explaining that “local governments across western Pennsylvania are facing an impossible situation. Current law requires notices to be published in print newspapers that may no longer exist.”
Since 1976, Pennsylvania law has mandated that municipalities, school districts, and authorities publish various legal notices—such as meeting announcements, bid solicitations, contract awards, tax information, and ordinances—in printed newspapers of general circulation. Ortitay criticized this system: “If a newspaper shuts down or dramatically reduces publication, local governments are still legally required to advertise there even when no viable option exists. That’s not transparency. That’s a broken system.”
The new legislation would give local governments flexibility to use electronic platforms like municipal websites, email alerts, social media or digital news outlets for public notices while retaining the option to publish in print where appropriate. “Most residents already get their local information online through municipal websites, email alerts, social media or digital news platforms,” Ortitay said. “This bill ensures notices are easier to find, timelier and accessible to more people, while still preserving the option to publish in print where it makes sense.”
Ortitay also highlighted the financial impact of current requirements: “This is about fiscal responsibility as much as transparency. Local governments shouldn’t be forced to spend scarce taxpayer dollars on an advertising model that no longer works, especially when better, cheaper and more effective options are available.” According to him, legal advertising in print can cost local governments tens of thousands of dollars each year despite declining readership.
Previous attempts at passing similar legislation have received bipartisan support from organizations such as the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and several municipal associations.
“With newspapers closing, consolidating and reducing publication statewide, this is no longer a future concern; it’s a present crisis,” Ortitay said. “If the law isn’t updated, local governments will be placed in legal jeopardy through no fault of their own. This legislation provides a practical, responsible solution.”
The 46th Legislative District represented by Ortitay covers parts of Allegheny County—including South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs—as well as sections of Washington County such as Cecil Township and Canonsburg Borough.
