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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Pat Harkins |
  
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Harkins: 1st District homeowners to receive above-average property tax relief
HARRISBURG, May 1 – State Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, today announced homeowners living in the 1st Legislative District are expected to receive school property tax cuts this summer that are above the estimated $169 statewide average.
Harkins said more than $613 million in slots proceeds is now in the state’s Property Tax Relief Fund, which will bring school property tax relief to more than 3 million Pennsylvania homeowners this summer.
Homeowners in the 1st Legislative District are estimated to receive $343 if they live in the Erie City School District and $364 in the Iroquois School District.
"I am thrilled with the estimated payouts announced today because they are the beginning of school property tax cuts that will only get better as revenue from gaming increases," Harkins said.
He said school districts will receive the slots money from the state and will use it to adjust homeowners’ property tax bills. Last year, gaming revenues were used to help 540,000 Pennsylvania senior citizens receive $234 million in property tax relief through the expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
"My office continually works with eligible homeowners to process rebates of up to $650 through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, so that they can get help with their burdensome property taxes," Harkins said.
"Many homeowners will be able to combine the money they receive from the rebate with the tax reduction. This could eliminate the tax altogether for some homeowners and for others, free up money for other necessities like prescription drugs, groceries and gasoline."
Harkins also supports legislation, H.B. 1947, that would amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to completely eliminate property taxes on primary homes and farmsteads. The constitution currently limits property tax relief for homeowners. The bill would remove the barrier to eliminating property taxes by increasing the homestead exemption to 100 percent.
To qualify for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate, homeowners must have an annual household income of $35,000 or less and renters $15,000 or less, be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or 18 or older and permanently disabled. Only half of an applicant’s Social Security or federal Railroad Retirement income is counted against the income limits. Applications are available in Harkins’ office at 460 E. 26th St., Erie, or by calling (814) 459-1949. The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is June 30.
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CONTACT: Carolyn E. Touma |