HARRISBURG – State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) today announced a measure that would give Pennsylvania voters a stronger voice in the elimination of the state’s outdated school property tax system.
Argall highlighted his proposal to eliminate the burdensome tax at a morning press conference in Schuylkill County, followed by an afternoon press conference at the State Capitol.
“Since 1834, we have been funding our school districts with the property tax,” Argall said. “After 175 years, I believe it’s time we start looking for funding alternatives. While the property tax is very complex, I believe the solution is very simple — let the people decide,” Argall added.
Senate Bill 818 and House Bill 637 would allow voters to decide between the current property tax system and the three most popular property tax replacement proposals in the General Assembly, based on the number of cosponsors for legislation in the House and Senate. The property tax proposals would be placed on the 2009 General Election ballot. Voters would then be given the opportunity to choose between the three proposals or leave the current property tax structure intact.
“I have introduced legislation that would allow voters to bring real property tax reform through the touch of a button in the voting booth in November,” Argall said.
Cosponsors of Argall’s legislation include: Senators John Rafferty, Michael Waugh, Mike Brubaker, Kim Ward, Richard Alloway II and Rob Wonderling and Representatives Baker, Belfanti, Benninghoff, Beyer, Clymer, Creighton, Everett, Geist, Gibbons, Gillespie, Gingrich, Godshall, Goodman, Grove, Helm, Hennessey, Hickernell, Hutchinson, Kauffman, M. Keller, Major, Mensch, Millard, Murt, Oberlander, Perry, Pyle, Quigley, Scavello, Siptroth, Solobay, Sonney, Swanger, Thomas and Vulakovich.
On March 17, 2009, Argall was elected to fill the Senate seat formerly held by James J. Rhoades in Schuylkill County and portions of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.
Contact: Nick Troutman
(717) 787-2637