Harrisburg, Pa. - Fees for Pennsylvania municipalities that don't maintain their own police forces are under consideration in the state House of Representatives.

A bill to impose the charges on the 20 percent of the state that relies solely on state police coverage passed the State Government Committee narrowly on Wednesday.

Republicans on the committee are opposed to the idea, saying there are lots of other types of state services that people in rural areas pay for without getting the benefits.

But Democrats say it's a matter of fairness, and the bill would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

The measure awaits debate by the full House. A similar proposal died in the last legislative session.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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