FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Paul Costa D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/costa

Costa: Property tax relief coming to 34^th district homeowners this summer 

HARRISBURG, April 30 -- State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, said the $500 million threshold needed to trigger the distribution of slots proceeds for school property tax relief has been exceeded with more than $613 million now in the state’s Property Tax Relief Fund.

Costa said that means 3 million Pennsylvania homeowners will see school property tax relief this summer.

"The statewide projected average for this initial distribution is a $169 reduction in school property tax bills this summer," Costa said. "I’m so proud to announce that tax relief is finally coming to my homeowner constituents, and I’m equally proud to announce that East Allegheny and Woodland Hills school districts are estimated to receive more than the average amount."

Costa said the tax cuts will be reflected in homeowners’ new school property tax bills this summer after school districts receive the slots money from the state. The exact amount that homeowners in each school district will see deducted from their school property tax bill will be determined sometime in May.  

In addition, gaming revenues helped to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program in 2007 to help 540,000 Pennsylvania senior citizens receive $234 million in property tax relief.

"We’ve helped our seniors, and now we’re about to deliver on our promise to help all Pennsylvania homeowners," Costa said. "Plus, with future revenue from current and pending gaming sites, folks can expect to receive even deeper school property tax relief over the years."

A complete list of the property tax relief payouts by district will be available next month on Costa’s Web site at www.pahouse.com/Costa.

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