Perzel Calls Rendell’s Property Tax Relief Inadequate
Harrisburg, PA – April 16, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Ed Rendell’s announcement on property tax reductions as a result of slot machine gambling revenues:
“This week, Governor Rendell announced that Pennsylvanians can expect to see roughly $200 in property tax relief this year as a result of slot machine revenues. That is hardly the relief Pennsylvanians were promised when the governor was pushing slot machine gambling as the cure to our property tax problems. While any property tax relief is welcome, it must be noted that $200 over the course of a year amounts to roughly $3.85 per week.
“Since I first came to the Legislature some 30 years ago, our priority has been providing property tax relief to our senior citizens. Somewhere along the way, we lost sight of that goal and the needs of senior citizens on fixed incomes got mixed in with everyone else. Instead of focusing on reducing the tax burden for senior citizens who can least afford to pay their property taxes, politicians across the state have made promises to the general population that – while noble – simply cannot be kept in our current financial situation.
“During the last legislative session, I offered the Older Pennsylvania Property Tax Elimination Act, legislation that would have eliminated school property taxes for homeowners age 65 and older with incomes of $40,000. This legislation would have affected more than 630,000 senior homeowners throughout Pennsylvania — including more than 138,000 right here in Philadelphia. Although the House passed my legislation by a vote of 159 to 36, House Democrats immediately removed it from the House floor and allowed it to die in committee.
“I have re-introduced the bill in this session as House Bills 1248 and 1249. I strongly urge House Democratic leaders to bring my bills to the House floor for a vote so that we can provide Pennsylvania’s senior citizens with the property tax relief they so desperately need.”
Rep. John Perzel
172nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(215) 331-2600
(717) 787-2016
Member Site: JohnPerzel.com
Contact: Sean Yeakle
(717) 787-3406
David J. Foster
(215) 514-3054
Caucus Site: PAHouseGOP.com
