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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Frank Burns |
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Burns' property tax relief measure passes House
HARRISBURG, Dec. 5 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, said the state House today unanimously passed legislation which included his measure to provide greater tax relief from gaming revenues.
"In October, the House unanimously approved my amendment to provide tax relief to Pennsylvanians," Burns said. "Today, we took another step toward that goal by passing H.B. 2009.
"Promises were made to the citizens of Pennsylvania that gaming funds will be used for property tax relief – my amendment would carry out that promise."
The bill includes Burns' amendment to divert table game revenue to the Property Tax Relief Fund after table games are up and running for two years. If enacted, it would trigger property tax relief to homeowners from table game revenue around mid-2012, he said.
Currently, these revenues are deposited in the General Fund until the balance in the Rainy Day Fund exceeds $750 million.
Burns said that under this formula, it is possible to postpone the transfer of these revenues indefinitely by keeping the Rainy Day Fund balance below the necessary threshold.
Burns’ proposal would institute a definitive end date and ensure that Pennsylvania homeowners begin to see the impact of gaming revenues on their property tax bills by directing nearly $100 million per year in gaming monies to property tax relief.
"My proposal simply brings us back to one of the primary objectives of the Gaming Act – to provide a significant source of revenue to support property tax relief," Burns said. "I urge the Senate to take swift action on this measure."
House Bill 2009 now moves to the Senate for approval.
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