|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Tim Seip |
|
Seip welcomes release of property tax relief estimates
Also calls for Senate action on House-passed constitutional amendment
POTTSVILLE, May 1 – State Rep. Tim Seip today welcomed the release of estimates of how much slots-funded property tax relief local homeowners will get this year, and he called for Senate action on a House-passed constitutional amendment that would allow the elimination of all school property taxes on primary homes and farms.
"I am pleased the state’s share of slots revenue has reached the amount required by law for property tax cuts to begin. These estimates are a positive step for homeowners in Schuylkill and Berks counties, and so is the $173 million expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program that is sending more help to many homeowners who need it most," Seip said.
"I look forward to passing additional relief with a view to reaching total elimination of school property taxes on primary homes. But we won't be able to eliminate homeowners' school property taxes without changing the state constitution. In January, the House passed a constitutional amendment to do that, and the Senate needs to join us."
The amendment (H.B. 1947) passed the House 193-0 in January. Seip co-sponsored the amendment and as a member of the House Finance Committee, he voted to send the legislation to the full House. It remains in the Senate Finance Committee.
Currently, the state constitution includes a "homestead exemption," approved by voters in 1997, which essentially limits school property tax relief to 50 percent of the median assessment in a school district. The proposed amendment would allow the General Assembly to create a full-value exemption from property taxes for residential and farm properties.
To be included in the state constitution, an amendment must pass the legislature in two consecutive sessions and be approved by voters. That means the earliest it could go before voters is next year.
To help homeowners in the meantime, Seip also plans to support pending legislation that would provide an average reduction of about 40 percent in school property taxes for homeowners as soon as next year. It would fund the relief by shifting more of the education funding burden to the state sales and income taxes.
Seip also reminded residents that June 30 is the deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, which helps seniors 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities who are 18 or older. Residents may call Seip's offices for help applying for the program: Pottsville, (570) 624-3145; Tilden Township, (610) 562-8435; Hegins, (570) 682-8747; or toll free, (866) 299-0277.
###bt/2008/bfg l:'print'releases'PTEstimates.125
|
|