June 11, 2009—At the invitation by Senator Smucker, the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee held a hearing in Lancaster at the City Council Chambers.  The Committee heard testimony on issues affecting third class cities such as blight, community revitalization, housing and finances.  Representatives from the cities of Lancaster, York and Lebanon were featured in the hearing.  A variety of testimony was given by city and state officials, businesses, associations, non-profit and economic development organizations.  After the hearing, Senators Smucker and Argall took a tour of the new Lancaster County Hotel and Convention Center as an example of the type of economic development occurring in smaller cities.