Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday signed into law two bills aimed at fighting blight.

The bills, a bipartisan effort, were authored by Republican state Sen. David G. Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks, and Democratic state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill.Argall’s law allows counties to authorize a $15 fee on deeds and mortgages to fund demolition. Goodman’s law reduces from 18 months to 12 months the amount of time buyers have to either bring properties up to code or tear them down.“This is a huge shot in the arm for communities struggling to win the war on blight,” Argall said. “Many older coal region towns continue to struggle with a high percentage of abandoned properties and lack of investment to tear down blighted structures.“In addition to efforts in the past, these new laws are a reflection of the requests made by local elected officials to Rep. Goodman and me. I’m pleased to see the overwhelming bipartisan support because blight can affect any community, from Philadelphia to New Philadelphia. I look forward to seeing these new tools put to use locally,” he said.“Blight is a major problem, particularly in older communities that have declining populations, like we have across much of Schuylkill County,” Goodman said. “Rundown properties drive down the value of neighboring properties and serve as a haven for criminal activity. We must attack this problem.”Passage of the bills came as good news to Lansford borough Councilwoman Rose Mary Cannon.“The borough of Lansford certainly welcomed the proposals of Sen. Dave Argall and Rep. Neal Goodman, which addressed blighted properties,” she said.“We would certainly hope Carbon County would opt into this very worthwhile program,” Cannon said.Cannon said the borough has struggled with blight for years.“The borough of Lansford’s enforcement office is inundated with complaints of blighted buildings and those that are in need of demolition. Over the years, the borough has had to use Community Development Block Grant funds, grant money and borough dollars to remove nuisance properties. The once beautiful Elks building is next on the list for demolition.”While the new laws will help, she said, the real responsibility lies with property owners.“These laws should provide needed relief for some municipalities. However, it is the loss of pride in ownership of properties that must change. Owners must maintain their buildings, not because they will be cited for violations, but because it is the right and proper avenue to follow,” she said.However, she said, if Carbon County opts in, “how it will be enforced will need to be seen.”