|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
|
State
Rep. Eugene DePasquale |
|
DePasquale announces property tax relief to start this summer
YORK, May 2 – State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, announced that gaming revenue has reached the required amount to kick start $613 million in property tax relief for more than 3 million Pennsylvania home and farm owners.
DePasquale said the amount of relief for each Pennsylvania homestead and farmstead will vary by school district, but homeowners living in the 95th Legislative District should see an estimated $113 or more in property tax cuts this summer. He said area school districts will receive the slots money payouts, which will then be used to adjust homeowners' property tax bills.
"When the legislature approved slots gaming a few years ago, the main purpose was to take the new revenue and reduce the property tax burden for all Pennsylvania homeowners," DePasquale said. "We have finally reached that revenue threshold and now the state is able to carry through with its promise to give millions of Pennsylvanians a break with their property taxes. Although it may have taken a few years to develop, we are finally seeing the results of property tax reform in Pennsylvania, and it is coming at a time when a few hundred dollars means a whole lot to many homeowners."
The estimated property tax relief per homestead or farmstead for school districts in the 95th Legislative District is as follows:
Central York School District -- $113
West York Area School District -- $170
York City School District -- $522
York Suburban School District -- $117
DePasquale said it is estimated that residents in the York City School District will receive the third highest property tax relief of any school district in the state, just behind Allentown and Chester-Upland school districts.
"Property tax relief is one of the most important issues facing our area and I am pleased that relief is on the way this summer, but more needs to be done," DePasquale said. "As someone that voted for property tax elimination, I clearly believe we need a better system to finance our schools. Since 1991, the state funding formula has been stuck in time. I am proud that in my first term I am helping to lead the way for change by introducing a bill to address this.
"If my current proposal before the House addressing the school funding formula issue passes as is, the York City school district will not have to raise property taxes for the first time in memory and all property owners in the city will see the $522 reduction in their school property tax.
"But in the meantime, as we debate my proposal, residents in my district will see a reduction in their property taxes and that is good news. I realize many doubted this day would come. Fortunately, the day has arrived," he added. "And, over the next few years, we should see even greater relief as the revenues from gaming continue to come in. But we cannot stop there. We must continue to work to hold down costs and reduce our reliance on property taxes."
DePasquale said another sign that state officials are working to cut costs and wasted spending is the fact that the property tax relief coming this summer will be distributed as a reduction on residents' property tax bills, rather than as separate payments and checks, which will reduce mailing and printing costs for area school districts.
More information and a detailed list of property tax cuts for school districts across the state can be found at www.pde.state.pa.us/proptax, or through DePasquale's Web site at http://www.pahouse.com/depasquale. To contact DePasquale's constituent service office by phone, call 717-848-9595.
###wt/2008/cz l:'print'releases'proptax_relief.095
|
CONTACT: Bill Thomas |