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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Keith R. McCall |
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McCall: Average property tax cut of $218 on the way to Carbon homeowners
HARRISBURG, May 1 – State Rep. Keith McCall, D-Carbon, said Carbon County homeowners will share nearly $3.75 million in property tax cuts funded by slot gaming on their 2008-2009 tax bills – an estimated cut averaging $218 per household countywide.
"When you open up your second – usually the larger – property tax bill this year, you’ll see your tax cut automatically applied and your total amount due reduced thanks to the slot gaming revenue," McCall said. "That’s money back in your pocket where it belongs and no application forms to fill out.
"While that’s definitely good news, this is just the beginning, especially because only half of the state’s planned slot gaming facilities are open. Soon there will be seven more facilities to add revenue to the property tax relief fund and the legislature has also approved a change to the state’s Constitution that sets up the groundwork for our ultimate goal: the total elimination of school property taxes in the Commonwealth."
McCall also noted that these cuts are in addition to the recently expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate program that provides rebates of up to $650 for eligible senior homeowners and renters, bringing the total state property tax relief effort to $768 million for this year, with the fund eventually expected to bring in more than $1 billion per year dedicated to property tax cuts. Carbon County's average cut of $218 is 29 percent higher than the statewide average of $169.
To find out more about the gaming-funded tax relief, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education Web site at http://www.pde.state.pa.us/proptax.
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CONTACT: Bob Caton |