Reading, Pa., gets help from the state

READING, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania has accepted the city of Reading into the state’s protection program for distressed municipalities.

George Cornelius, the secretary for the Department of Community and Economic Development, announced the decision today. But he says the Act 47 program will only serve as a stopgap solution until the Legislature changes state regulations that he says handcuff cities.

Act 47 is a state law that provides state oversight to municipalities and access to low-interest loans to help them recover.