FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. David Levdansky D-Allegheny/Washington www.pahouse.com/Levdansky

Levdansky says education increases would hold property taxes down

HARRISBURG, July 3 – The General Assembly is set to approve record-level funding for basic education, which, coupled with slots revenue authorized under Act 1, should alleviate the need for school boards to rely heavily on school property tax increases, according to state Rep. David Levdansky, D-Allegheny/Washington.

The proposed funding is part of the 2008-09 state budget package, which would not increase state taxes.

"Until the House and Senate reach a consensus on how to shift the costs associated with education from the homeowner to a fairer and more equitable system, the state must allocate additional funding in its budget so that local school boards are not forced to raise property taxes," Levdansky said. "This increase is a short-term solution, which, combined with increasing gaming revenue, should negate the need for property tax increases. This ample investment in education will help school children across the state succeed without forcing people out of their homes."

School Districts in the 39^th legislative district are set to receive:

Clairton City School District: $6.8 million in basic education funding, a 3.12 percent increase;

$1 million in special education funding, a 2 percent increase.

Elizabeth Forward School District: $8.8 million in basic education funding, a 4.32 percent increase; $1.6 million in special education funding, a 2 percent increase.

South Park School District: $6 million in basic education funding, a 3 percent increase;

$1.1 million in special education funding, a 2 percent increase.

West Jefferson Hills School District: $5 million in basic education funding, a 5.88 percent increase; $1.7 million in special education funding, a 1.4 percent increase.

Ringgold School District: $12 million in basic education funding, a 5.38 percent increase;

$1.9 million in special education funding, a 1.7 percent increase.

Levdansky, who serves as chairman of the House Finance Committee, has introduced several measures that aim to eliminate school property taxes. House Bill 1600  would freeze millage rates set by school districts in January 2009 and proposes to eliminate school property taxes in 2010. That bill was reported out of the House Finance Committee earlier today.

House Bill 1947 is a constitutional amendment to eliminate school property taxes for homeowners only. That bill passed the House unanimously last January, but has yet to see action in the Senate.

"We must continue to work toward a reasonable mechanism by which we can provide a quality education for our youngsters without placing an undue burden on homeowners," Levdansky said. "With this year's record investment in state support for education, coupled with the first-time distribution of slot revenues later this summer, I urge school districts in my legislative district to hold the line on property taxes."

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