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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Paul Costa |
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Costa introduces bill to prohibit tuition tax
HARRISBURG, Dec. 8-- State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill (H.B.2155) that would prohibit any political subdivision from levying a tax on college tuition in Pennsylvania.
Costa said his legislation would be effective statewide and would prohibit tuition taxes such as the 1 percent tax Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has proposed on students attending Pittsburgh universities and colleges.
"I understand the mayor's proposal is an effort to close the city's budget gap, however, it is unfair to place the city's financial burden on the backs of college students," Costa said.
Costa also said he is concerned that if Pittsburgh levies a tuition tax on its students, other cities, like Philadelphia, will do the same. As a result, Pennsylvania may lose many of its students to colleges and universities in other states.
Costa said that currently it is not clear if Pennsylvania mayors legally have the authority to implement a tuition tax on their students, and such lack of clarity may lead to confusion.
"My legislation would prohibit such a tax statewide and remove all ambiguity related to imposing a tuition tax on college students in Pennsylvania," Costa said.
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