Property Tax Reform

By Larry Roberts

TOTAL ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAX

The other problem we now have is the fact that too many legislators want to provide property tax relief for senior citizens on low income only. That is a major problem for several reasons. First of all it is unconstitutional. Secondly, eliminating property tax for a select few would mean that others will have to pay more in order to make up for the lost revenue.

Young couples just starting out and middle income families that are having a hard time making ends meet should also be able to enjoy whatever comes of property tax reform. It cannot and should not be piece mealed.

Property tax reform has been one of my top priorities for several years and I do know all the pitfalls.

One of the problems I've had with getting full cooperation from property owners is the fact that property owners who have a mortgage do not see their tax bill. It is paid for with their escrow account and goes un-noticed until the mortgage is paid off. Then when the mortgage is paid off, the property owner usually gets the shock of a lifetime when they get the first property tax notice.

But even with this, situation, Pennsylvanians have overwhelmingly let legislators know they want property tax eliminated.

Act 1 was passed off as property tax reform but everyone knows it is useless and does very little or nothing to help property owners. Many property owners have learned that Act 1 will actually cost them more because their income tax will increase but the property tax decrease will be much less of nothing at all.

I was a member of the tax reform caucus for years and I will certainly get active with them once again after I am elected.

The time for elimination of property tax is long overdue and I will do all I can to make it happen.