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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tim Seip |
   
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Seip wins House passage of his bills to ban 'spot appeals' of assessments
HARRISBURG, May 13 – State Rep. Tim Seip today won House passage of his two bills that would ban "spot appeals" of assessments.
The bills (H.B.s 1438 and 1439) would ban the practice, which is a growing concern in Seip's district. At Seip's request, the House Local Government Committee held a hearing on the bills in February at Penn State Schuylkill Campus in Schuylkill Haven. The committee heard testimony from an affected property owner from the area and experts on the issue.
"These spot appeals are initiated only because a property is sold, despite the fact that a similar or identical property nearby may continue to be taxed at a lower rate," Seip said. "Singling out individual homeowners like that is wrong. I hope the Senate will join the House in passing these bills so they can go to the governor's desk."
The bills would cover 65 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, based on their populations, including Schuylkill and Berks. Philadelphia and Allegheny counties would not be affected.
Seip also called on the Senate to help homeowners by acting on a proposed constitutional amendment that would clear the way for elimination of school property taxes on primary homes and farms. The House of Representatives passed the amendment unanimously on Jan. 17, but it remains in the Senate Finance Committee.
Currently, Pennsylvania's 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 constitutional amendment (H.B. 1947) 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 at least 90 days before the general election, to allow for sufficient public notice. The final step is voter approval.
"This amendment could go before voters as soon as next year – but only if the Senate acts before the summer recess. Otherwise, the amendment will be delayed until at least 2011," Seip said. "I am pleased that slots revenue will begin to reduce homeowners' property tax bills this summer, but I am still committed to doing more."
Click here to urge Senate action on banning spot appeals of assessments.
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