Lansford, Coaldale and other small towns will soon have a new double-barreled weapon in the war on blight.

Proposals by Republican state Sen. David G. Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks, and Democratic state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill, would give communities the ability to raise revenue to tear down dilapidated buildings and give buyers less time to either fix or demolish them.Argall’s law would allow counties to place an additional fee up to $15 on deeds and mortgages recorded in the county. The money would be used to pay to tear down dilapidated buildings.Goodman’s law would reduce from 18 months to 12 months the amount of time a buyer of a building has to correct known code violations or demolish the structure.Argall’s bill was signed in the state senate on Wednesday and in the House on Thursday.Goodman’s bill was signed in the House and in the Senate on Wednesday.Both proposals on Friday were given to Gov. Tom Wolf to be signed into law.Legislators speak out“Rep. Neal Goodman and I worked on this issue together through the bicameral, bipartisan Blight Task Force,” Argall said.“Blight is a pervasive problem that can spread block by block, so it is critical to ensure we prevent that problem before it starts. I’m hopeful that this additional tool will help local municipalities address the problem as quickly as possible,” he said.Argall’s bill would provide needed relief to struggling communities.“In my discussions with local elected officials and community leaders in Tamaqua and Coaldale, they tell me that the new laws the Legislature has provided them to crack down on blight and abandonment are very helpful, but they need funding,” he said.“Each county has to opt in to the program. All dollars generated through the new fee, up to $15, on deeds and mortgages recorded at the county level would stay in that county once the county commissioners impose the fee. It’s another tool in the toolbox for local governments to continue to wage a war on blight,” Argall said.Goodman said his bill gives communities more power to keep blight at bay.“Blight is one of the top concerns of municipal leaders from across my legislative district, and I want to give them every tool possible in their fight,” Goodman said. “Blight can be like a cancer in a community, driving down the value of neighboring properties and serving as a haven for criminal activity.”Local reactionsSchuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman has made blight a centerpiece in her battle against crime. She often cites the cascade effect dilapidated buildings have on neighborhood morale and property values in addition to providing cover for criminals.“I applaud both lawmakers’ efforts to heighten the public’s awareness on the big picture of Schuylkill County’s ongoing blight issues and address the issues head-on,” she said.“Argall’s demolition bill is right on the money; and Goodman’s shrinking of the time to correct or demolish a purchased blighted property or a property riddled with code violations is a big step in the right direction.”But she said property owners also need to step up to the plate.“Notwithstanding these additional tools to fight blight, property owners must take responsibility. These bills are not an alternative option. If you own property in Pennsylvania, that property is a reflection of you. Take pride in your appearance, and more importantly, don’t break the law,” Holman said.In Lansford, the head of a community improvement group also lauded the legislators’ efforts.“Any type of legislation to combat blight is great,” said Chris Ondrus of Lansford Alive!“I know Sen. Argall has worked for years with legislation regarding blight. Ultimately, preventing properties from reaching the demolition stage and making the property owner responsible is the goal, but this bill is definitely a start and will be a help to our county to assist municipalities,” he said.Coaldale has been working to get rid of broken down buildings, and is grateful for the help, said council President Angela Krapf.“Sen. Argall’s blight bill is such exciting news. Like many communities, Coaldale struggles with blighted properties and the funds to be able to eliminate those blights,” she said.“This bill will be beneficial not only by eliminating the eyesore, but more importantly by eliminating the safety concerns blighted properties bring to a community,” Krapf said.Demolition funding billHow much our counties stand to gain in state Sen. David G. Argall’s demolition funding bill, based on a Recorder of Deeds $15 fee increase on deeds and mortgages in 2014:• Carbon County: $67,200• Lehigh County: $263,820• Monroe County: $198,135• Northampton County: (Information on the numbers of deeds and mortgages is not given out over the telephone, so the amount could not be determined)• Schuylkill County: $131,160• Total amount of money for Pennsylvania: $11,903,265