For several years municipalities in the region have discussed merging their resources for more effective government. Such a large step requires serious study before deciding about implementation.

The Centre Region Council of Governments can further such research by approving a recent plan developed by its executive committee to research the possible effects of consolidation.

Under the plan, COG would create a municipal study committee of about 10 members. Based on reports from individual municipalities, the regional committee would draft a final consolidation proposal. Then COG's General Forum -- composed of representatives from State College Borough and the townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton -- would review this proposal.

Only those municipalities that want to participate will proceed with the study. Taking part cannot hurt, and will allow individual municipalities to explain why they are for or against consolidation. If the study is created with concrete goals and timetables, committee members will be able to research the subject quickly and thoroughly.

Questions to address in the study include whether all areas of the Centre Region will benefit equally from consolidation. Some COG representatives have said consolidation is not likely to help the rural townships as much as the borough.

A more centralized government could mean less direct representation by Centre Region residents to their government. Some municipalities have expressed concern that rapid growth in the region makes direct supervision of local governments necessary. Others have speculated that consolidation would mean less local citizen control.

The study could also examine if consolidation would mean bigger government and more taxes -- or whether it would more efficiently run services for all members of the Centre Region with little or no revenue increases.

The cooperation between COG members that the study would entail can only benefit the Centre Region. COG should work quickly to approve such a study, so implementing consolidation or simply improving cooperation between local governments can begin.