Monday, September 30, 2013

Property tax reform finally being talked about in the PA state House

Property tax reform was supposed to be the topic of discussion in the House today. I'm not sure how far along they got, but here's my take on where we should be. In fact, I think the time for talking is done. If they're really going to strip HB 1189 and insert HB 76 is for the guts, let's get it done.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Fill A Bus, or a car, or just ride a motorcycle to Harrisburg

The Fill A Bus rally is tomorrow, and I'm hoping for a huge crowd to let our state legislators know that we think property tax reform is a really bid deal. I heard last Friday that a couple of bills were going to be run out of the finance committee today, but not HB76. Here are my thoughts, again, on what we should be demanding of our state legislators.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Pa House Finance Committee moving bills on Monday

So, you're not going to believe this. The House Finance Committee meets Monday and they're voting on a property tax relief package of bills, not one of them HB76. "On Monday, the House Finance Committee will discuss and vote on a four-bill property tax relief/reform package: House Bill 1189 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-York County) provides school districts with a menu of taxing options and affords those districts using these options the ability to tailor property tax relief specific to their district. Any tax shift occurring under this new authority is required to be used as a dollar-for-dollar reduction, or elimination, of property taxes." How is it a bill that's never been vetted (1189) get a vote and HB76 that's been vetted three ways to Sunday, doesn't?

Monday, September 16, 2013

Fool me twice...

Do you know the saying, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me? I think I first heard Gomer Pyle utter those words when I was a lot younger than I am today, but I got it.I had two state reps telling me House Bill 76 would never work because the numbers just don't add up, the trouble is, they were using old numbers. Shame on you. Another representative, the sponsor of HB 76 told me the new numbers show a surplus, so I did a little research on my own. We hold off on the shame on me until I learn otherwise. It's time we hold our elected officials accountable. We shouldn't be feed political rhetoric when people's homes are on the line here, folks. Call your state representative and ask them, point blank, if they'll vote in favor of HB 76.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Which do you like, apples or oranges?

Property tax relief, reform or just a shuffling of the deck chairs, which would you like to see Pennsylvania? I think it's becoming pretty clear that elimination is the only way to go with the funding mechanism currently used to fund public education in the Keystone State. I took a look at two options last week, House Bill 76 and House Bill 1189. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Personally, I like apples much better. How about you?

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Do these guys deserve a chance on property tax reform?

So I had PA House finance chair Kerry Benninghoff and Rep. Seth Grove in my office for a little chat last week. I was waiting for the weekend to clear before posting it up here figuring everyone was going to be busy with their Labor Day activities. I hope you had a good break from reality, because here it is again, coming at you full steam. Grove says he has an alternative to House Bill 76, the Property Tax Independence Act. Here's the interview and a video. You tell me...does he?