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For Immediate
Release
6/12/06
CONTACT:
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Piccola & Conti Unveil School Property Tax Plan to Break the
Logjam
Key is "Super
Backend Referendum"
HARRISBURG -- Recognizing
the need to break the logjam on the school property tax issue which has
prevented the enactment of meaningful relief for Pennsylvanians, Senate Majority
Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15) and Senate Caucus Chairman Joe Conti (R-10) today
joined efforts to unveil a compromise plan that will move the Commonwealth in a
direction to eliminate -- not simply reduce -- property taxes.
Piccola and
Conti's plan incorporates most of the provisions of the Special Session on
Property Tax's Conference Committee Report on House Bill 39 and includes two
additional components. Their proposal generates approximately $2.0 billion in
revenues by selectively expanding the state's Sale Tax Base in 2007 and using
anticipated gaming revenues. The Piccola/Conti plan also establishes a "super
backend referendum" to ensure that if school property taxes still exist after
July 1, 2008, the voters must approve any increases.
"We've heard
what the people of Pennsylvania have said -- school property taxes are hitting
them directly in the wallet and they want tax relief -- beginning with their
school taxes. Our plan is a first step in breaking the logjam on this issue and
giving Pennsylvania taxpayers some admittedly modest property tax reductions and
a guarantee that they will finally have control over school property taxes in
the near future," Piccola said.
"This
compromise tax reform legislation is within reach of adoption by the General
Assembly, and Governor Rendell should embrace this initiative as well. The
compromise certainly offers a wide range of tax reforms that should be pleasing
to everyone," said Conti.
"Our plan
creates a firm deadline for both state government and local school districts in
Pennsylvania: either provide for the total elimination of all school property
taxes by 2008 or give taxpayers the power to control these taxes through a
'super referendum.' Voters will now have a hammer to demand that the next
Governor and the General Assembly have as their number one priority finally
resolving the many problems of school property taxes through total elimination,"
Piccola said.
"The time is
long overdue to address a problem plaguing millions of Pennsylvanians. By
building on the provisions of House Bill 39 and incorporating the expanded Sales
Tax Base and the super backend referendum, we will achieve property tax
reductions and guarantee that if nothing else happens, the citizens of this
state will have the power to control their school property taxes," said Conti.
 Piccola
Conti
At a
June 12 news conference,
Senate
Majority Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15), left, and Senate Caucus Chairman Joe
Conti (R-10), right, unveil a plan to break the logjam on the school
property tax issue and move the Commonwealth in a direction to eliminate
property taxes.
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