Has anyone heard of HB76? The bill to remove school property taxes. (East Stroudsburg: sales, 2013)

[niceshoes6]

DO you guys think this bill has a chance to pass? It seems like its gaining momentum. I know we are always complaining about the high taxes in the area and this seems like our best bet to change that.
Here is a some more info

PTCC - HB 76 and SB 76, The Property Tax Independence Act

[fisheye]

I am not that quick to jump on this bandwagon. For one thing; this revenue is still coming from someplace and it could ripple though our economy. Increasing our income tax and sales tax could place additional burden on those that cannot afford any additional burden. For another thing - it doesn't address the problems we face (controlling cost). Everybody knows that the pension payments are out of control. Wherever the funding comes from, it still has the same issues - like the finger in the dyke.

I have watched my property taxes go up over ten fold. I would love to see change. But I just don't want to get stuck with a worse system.

[Wells5]

People who have lived for a long time within certain pocono school districts (East Stroudsburg, Delaware Valley, etc.) know full well about the giant increases in school taxes. More houses built imply more children, requiring more schools, teachers, school supplies, etc. Why should the entire population of the state through a large increase in the income tax rate be called on to pay most of the increasing expenses of these districts, especially when a lot of the parents work out of state? A large "impact tax" should be imposed on the home builders to help pay for the increased school infrastructure.

Also, Pa's income tax rate must be increased to perhaps 5% to pay for the undeserved pension increases of 50% for state legislators and a 25% increase for teachers, school administrators and all other state workers signed into law by the "conservative" governor Tom Ridge in 2001. Pa. Pensions It never was a good idea - Philly.com

[niceshoes6]

My taxes are around 3,000 a year, I imagine that if I had that back in my pocket it would ripple in a helpful way to the economy by generating more sales and sales tax. By eliminating the school tax you would actually be reducing the burden on those that can barely afford to live. People shouldn't have to be worried about being thrown out of their homes because they can't afford their taxes. I'm sold on this thing. I have seen my taxes go up $800 in 6 years which is absurd and I am sick of it.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Wells5

People who have lived for a long time within certain pocono school districts (East Stroudsburg, Delaware Valley, etc.) know full well about the giant increases in school taxes. More houses built imply more children, requiring more schools, teachers, school supplies, etc. Why should the entire population of the state.....

If you're going to use that argument why should my Grandmother who is 95 years old pay for it? Besides If you live somewhere you pay for this whether you own the property or rent. No one escapes this tax except for those in subsidized housing.

By shifting where the tax is collected you'll encourage home ownership more, the only issue I see is this will drive up property values which is great if you own your home but not so great if you don't but even then the long term benefits are substantial.

[fisheye]

Doesn't this thread belong on the Pennsylvania forum? This is not just a regional issue.

[niceshoes6]

Monroe County is hit pretty hard with taxes so it seems appropriate to be here.

[Gettingouttahere]

I would love to have seen my taxes only go up $800 in six years. They've tripled in 14.

Problem I see is one of the same ones that exist now: divvying up the pot. Currently, school state aid is disproportionately given to low-population western PA states with high-seniority state legislators, thanks to the hold-harmless provision in the state law (which prevents a district from getting less money than the year before, even if its enrollment plunged)

The senior legislators -- the same ones that have been around for years -- are not looking out for the districts that need the most help. They're looking out for their own districts, and those are in the west.

And because Monroe historically had no real legislative representation (our state Senate representation was split among six senators, not one of them from Monroe), I doubt we'll have the clout to get our fair share.

[jtab4994]

There are currently 92 co-sponsors out of 203 districts. I'd say it has a pretty good chance right now. Not sure how the state Senate may vote, or when it will come up for a vote in the House.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly

[toobusytoday]

This thread has been moved from the NEPA forum as it is a state issue and not a local one.