Senate Finance Committee to Discuss Tax Equalization in the Hazleton Area School District

HARRISBURG – A public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 11 a.m., at the Keystone Fire Company, Grant and Hancock Streets, McAdoo, PA 18237, to discuss property tax fairness in the Hazleton Area School District, including alternative methods to calculating property tax rates and the pending implementation of the Luzerne County reassessment, according to State Senator David G. Argall (R-29).

Representatives from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Hazleton Area School District, Pennsylvania Tax Equalization Board and the Pennsylvania Department of Education are expected to testify.

"It is important that we address this inequity in taxation now rather than later," said Argall. "Recognizing the scope of this problem, I have asked our Senate Finance Committee to hold a hearing to review current assessment rates, in order to prevent future grievances."

The hearing is the result of a disparity in property taxes levied for school districts that fall within a three county area, such as the Hazleton Area School District.

Anyone wishing to submit written testimony can send their comments to: Senator Pat Browne, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, Senate Box 203016, Harrisburg, PA 17120.