http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/chester/nabes/20070506_Call_for_relief_from_property_taxes.html
In Pennsylvania, Governor Rendell proposed "Act 1" last year which is "a law that requires a referendum vote on a proposed partial shift from property to income taxes in every school district in the state outside of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton." Citizens go to vote on May 15th. It looks like it could be a pretty close vote. Several residents are opposed because it will end up costing them more money; even though they would still pay lower taxes on their homes, couples would be paying more for income taxes for the schools. One family's property taxes have gone up more than $600 dollars from when they first moved to Coatsville, Pennsylvania. The only people who seem to benefit would be retired senior citizens and low-income homeowners. Some think it may be the wording on the ballot that will influence people's negative opinions; the ballot uses the words impose and tax (obviously) which most people look at as bad. But the governor's intentions may have been good, according to the school board president in one school district.
"I think we could have made a better version of this, that would seem fairer to a larger number people," said Douglas Doren, school board president in the Kennett Consolidated School District. He applauded the legislature's intentions to lessen the burden for low-income earners, but cautioned, "It's more complicated than that, and the benefits to our taxpayers are not so clear."
I agree that the intentions were good but I think that there could be a better way to go about this so that it's fair for everyone. It's ridiculous that some people's taxes have already gone up so much over the years ($600!!!) and are expected to pay more. It seems like there would be more people put at a disadvantage than there would be people benefiting from the vote. IF it passes, they are going to have a lot of unhappy residents unless they make some revisions.
2 comments:
One of hte biggest problems with school funding across the nation is that it's tied to property taxes. So - as wages rise (for teachers & other schoolworkers), the income (from property taxes) isn't necessarily going up. So, it isn't keeping up with inflation.
It stinks, because you're caught - do you want decent schools, or do you want lower prop taxes? It's one of the reasons why areas with big ownership of homes (rather than apartments or rental houses) have better schools. Another sad thing.
Answer? I don't know. But it has to do with funding for education. That's the #1 thing that prop taxes go for.
I wish there was a way for everyone to do well in life not at anyone's expense. Or maybe money could just not exsist, but well then there would be not economics...darn. haha but i do think that it will be a close vote. I can see the advantages of both sides of the issue. THis reminds me of our social class monopoly game...until i robbed the bank! the way that the tax cycle keeps hitting the same people until they have nothing else.. yeah. I wish i could fix this.
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