FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Chris Sainato D-Lawrence/Beaver www.pahouse.com/Sainato

Sainato announces property tax relief for most 9^th district homeowners

LAWRENCE, May 2 – State Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Beaver/Lawrence, said the state will provide school property tax relief to homeowners in the 9^th Legislative District this year now that slots revenues from the state's gaming facilities have reached the threshold needed to allow for state-funded property tax cuts.

In 2006, Sainato voted for gaming legislation that was designed to reduce homeowners' property taxes. The tax cuts will be reflected in homeowners’ school property tax bills this summer.

Sainato said the estimated property tax relief per homeowner in local school districts is as follows:

Beaver County

Blackhawk School District = $170

Lawrence County

Laurel School District = $172

Mohawk Area School District = $178

Neshannock Township School District = $72

New Castle Area School District = $233

Union Area School District = $170

Wilmington Area School District = estimates not yet determined

"This is the first step in property tax reduction for homeowners in my district," Sainato said. "As gaming revenues accumulate each year we could see even more property tax reduction in the future."

Sainato said this year's distribution marks the first provided under the Taxpayer Relief Act. Last year, gaming revenues helped to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to allow 540,000 Pennsylvania senior citizens to receive $234 million in property tax relief.

The Property Tax Relief Fund contains nearly $613 million, which will be distributed to the state's school districts for property tax reductions.

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