MONTCO.Today’s owner and publisher wrote extensively about property tax reform during his days as senior editor of Digital First Media. If you would like to see him pick up the mantle once again, please send an email to shuskey@montco.today

With no fix forthcoming from state lawmakers, suburban school districts continue to impose annual tax hikes on property owners that drastically outstrip earnings growth, writes Maria Panaritis for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A recent analysis found that over the last decade, “school property taxes in the 60-plus districts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties have jumped 25 percent, — in some cases better than 40 percent — outpacing inflation while enrollments have been stagnant.”

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Close to 70 percent of school budgets are covered through local taxes, and the state only provides around 30 cents of every dollar needed. Four decades ago, the split between school districts and the state was equal.

Meanwhile, labor costs have gone up with unfunded mandates providing unique instruction for special-needs children, together with skyrocketing healthcare and pension costs worsening the situation.

To make up for this, districts have been increasing local taxes, while forgoing building renovations and other necessary improvements.

To read the complete story click here.

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