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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Tom
Andrews 717-783-4267 |
Majority Leader Bill
DeWeese |
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House Dems propose $700 million in property tax cuts
HARRISBURG, May 17 – House Democratic leaders today announced a plan to further reduce residential property taxes by more than $700 million statewide.
“While I realize that there are many plans that will raise myriad taxes to either cut or abolish property taxes, I have watched for 30 years as we sacrificed the possible while waiting for the perfect. It is my hope that this simple, straightforward bill will be the beginning of a real debate on what is possible in our effort to cut property taxes,” said Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. “Paired with the anticipated $1 billion in revenue from gaming, this sales tax boost will enable all homeowners to see real, significant and immediate relief.”
DeWeese currently is seeking co-sponsors for the legislation.
“This week’s failure of Act 1 has shown that voters want Harrisburg to take responsible action to cut property taxes, not leave confusing local taxing decisions in the hands of 498 individual school districts. Imminently, I will introduce legislation to increase the state sales tax by one-half percent statewide, using the proceeds for dollar-for-dollar property tax cuts totaling $712 million statewide,” he said.
DeWeese said the plan is clean, clear, direct, easy to understand, easy to explain and would deliver real and meaningful property tax cuts to homeowners.
“We know that all tax reform plans are in fact tax shifting plans. All of us recognize how difficult, even in our caucus, it is to achieve a meaningful consensus; and for good reason, because each and every one of us has strong and deeply held feelings on these issues. This process, and this issue, is challenging; but it is possible,” said Majority Whip Keith McCall, D-Carbon.
“Property taxes unfairly burden low-wage earners and retirees, in addition to dissuading young families from purchasing a home. This plan – as part of a larger comprehensive tax relief effort – moves Pennsylvania toward a fairer tax system, with more emphasis on people’s ability to contribute to the cost of education and less reliance on unfair and burdensome property taxes.”
In addition to the sales tax legislation, DeWeese and McCall also said Finance Committee Chairman David Levdansky continues to work on a broader bipartisan plan for even further property tax cuts.
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