Local lawmakers want to impose a $25 fee on home sales to fund first responders – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It seems more and more volunteer fire departments are looking for money to stay open and keep you safe. Now a local state official is planning to introduce legislation next month to get more money into their coffers.

45th District Rep. Anita Kulik wants to turn real estate sales into funding for VFD and EMS crews.

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“It shouldn’t be something that a buyer or seller can say, ‘Oh my god, that’s such a huge fee.’ It’s a very small fee,” she said over the phone.

This small $25 fee from the seller and buyer would total $50 for local first responders.

“I really don’t think people realize how expensive it is to protect these people to do their jobs to protect us,” Kulik told KDKA.

Crescent Township Volunteer Fire Chief Dan Muller said any money for his firefighters is welcome, but he wondered if it would really help smaller communities like his. Crescent Township has about 2,000 residents.

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“We’re pretty much a bedroom community. There aren’t many commercial transactions,” Muller said.

He thinks this would be more beneficial for growing and more densely populated neighborhoods, like some in the North Hills.

“A lot of people are moving in. Lots of new construction up there,” Muller said.

Kulik understands his concern and said this is in addition to any grants the department receives or fundraisers they conduct.

“It can be a great addition to the funding these departments receive,” Kulik said.

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She is currently looking for co-sponsors for the bill. She hopes to present it at the State House in May.