View Past Leadership Letters 
Click here to receive Democratic Leadership Letters via e-mail 

House Democrats move to cut taxes

 

This week the majority House Democrats sent our Senate counterparts a clear signal that we are committed to providing deeper property tax cuts for homeowners and tax breaks for working families.

 

Among the measures is H.B. 1947, the foundation for property tax elimination. Right now the Pennsylvania Constitution permits lawmakers to reduce property taxes on homes by only 50 percent. House Bill 1947 would set up the process to amend the state constitution to allow for the elimination of property taxes on primary homes and farms.

 

Also clearing the House was the Earned Income Tax Credit (H.B. 377), which would provide low-income workers with children state tax refunds. The EITC, championed at the federal level by the late-President Ronald Reagan and President Bill Clinton, encourages single parents to obtain employment and reduce their dependence on welfare. It's a proven program that promotes both family values and a strong work ethic.

 

Nearly 100 amendments were offered to other bills in the House Democratic property tax cut package, which include H.B. 1489, H.B. 1600 and H.B. 93.  Those bills, in part, would further shift the responsibility for funding education to the state by raising $1.5 billion through sales and personal income taxes in order to reduce local property taxes. Paired with the anticipated $1 billion in revenue from gaming, these bills will enable all homeowners to see significant and immediate relief.

 

We will continue our march forward in the coming weeks, once lawmakers have an opportunity to carefully review the amendments. And we will continue to engage the Senate in this important debate.

 

Please visit www.pahouse.com to learn more 

   

To read Gov. Ed Rendell's weekly newsletter, click this link:
http://www.virtualtours.state.pa.us/newsletter/default.asp