Bill Text: PA HR183 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the feasibility of a local property tax freeze and the gradual elimination of local property taxes for senior citizens; to perform a cost analysis of such a freeze and reduction; to determine the consequences of such a freeze and reduction on local taxing bodies and on the Commonwealth; and to make recommendations on alternative financing methods for school districts.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-23 - Referred to FINANCE [HR183 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR183-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1206
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 183 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY SIPTROTH, BARRAR, BOBACK, BOYD, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, DeLUCA, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FREEMAN, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, GROVE, HELM, HICKERNELL, KORTZ, KOTIK, LENTZ, MAHONEY, McILVAINE SMITH, MICOZZIE, MILNE, MOUL, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE, PHILLIPS, READSHAW, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, STABACK, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WANSACZ AND YOUNGBLOOD, MARCH 23, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, MARCH 23, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study
the feasibility of a local property tax freeze and the
gradual elimination of local property taxes for senior
citizens; to perform a cost analysis of such a freeze and
reduction; to determine the consequences of such a freeze and
reduction on local taxing bodies and on the Commonwealth; and
making recommendations on alternative financing methods for
school districts.
WHEREAS, Local property taxes are a major source of revenue
for the 501 school districts in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Local property taxes have become a tremendous burden
upon homeowners and property owners in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The current property tax system adversely affects
senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, There is no reliable data on the amount of funding
needed to freeze and gradually eliminate local property taxes
for senior citizens; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
conduct a study of the current property tax system in the
Commonwealth to ascertain whether local property taxes can and
should be frozen for persons 65 years of age or older and to
recommend alternative funding sources for those local school
districts that are fairer and more equitable to the citizens of
this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
determine the amount of revenue needed to offer a 25% property
tax reduction for homeowners upon reaching 70 years of age; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
determine the amount of revenue needed to offer a 50% property
tax reduction for homeowners upon reaching 75 years of age; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
determine the amount of revenue needed to offer a 75% property
tax reduction for homeowners upon reaching 80 years of age; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
determine the amount of revenue needed to completely eliminate
property taxes for homeowners upon reaching 85 years of age; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings to the House of Representatives within six
months following the adoption of this resolution.
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