Schools may stop collecting property taxes statewide if a new bill passes, writes Megan Tomasic for triblive.com.

Rep. Pam Synder (D-Fayette/Greene/Washington), with state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) and state Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) introduced the new bill. If the bill passes it will allow districts to exclude up to 100% of a homeowner’s school property bill.

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The Pennsylvania Constitution was amended last November to continue the expansion of the property tax relief program known as the Homestead Exclusion. Conversations have been taking place about the legislation needed to enforce the amendment.

To make up for the loss of revenue from the property tax exclusion, the bill aims to raise the personal income tax (PIT) by 1.8%. The new personal income tax range would be 3.07% to 4.87%.

“I hear from seniors and homeowners regularly about this property tax burden and how unfair and costly it is to them,” Snyder said in the release. “We realize that school districts need adequate funding to operate, but not on the backs of taxpayers, including first-time home buyers and family farms.”

The personal income tax is considered by many to be one of the most stable taxes in Pennsylvania. The lawmakers proposing the bill believe it will provide schools with a more secure income as economic conditions change.

For more information go to triblive.com.

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