If you want property tax relief, speak up!

Here's the latest update on property tax relief from David Baldinger of the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition:

Since the legislature has not been in session for a few weeks there's not much definitive information about the progress of House Bill 1275, the School Property Tax Elimination Act. However, there are some indications that we may soon see some action on property taxes in the House of Representatives.

HB 1275 now has 44 co-sponsors. The updated list is in the November 10 update here: http://mysite.verizon.net/drbsr/PTCCWeb/arc111007.htm. If your representative is on this list you may want to thank him or her for sponsoring this legislation. If not, you should contact your representative to find out why they are not working for your interests. More on that later.

HB 1275 is now in the House Appropriations Committee; we expect the bill to be reported out of committee in the near future. We also expect floor debate on property taxes to begin sometime after January 14 since this issue should probably be settled prior to the governor's February budget address. Of course, considering the legislature's record on timeliness these projections are subject to change. But nonetheless this may or may not be our last opportunity to affect House passage of HB 1275 and we must act anyway to let the politicians know we are watching them.

First, letters to the editor of your local newspaper in support of the School Property Tax Elimination Act are always a good way to help to spread the word and apply pressure to politicians, so write one if you feel comfortable doing so. Second, frequent letters, phone calls, and e-mails to representatives are a MUST from as many of you as possible. Details are below.

Representative David Argall (Berks, Schuylkill), the Republican Caucus whip, is the only House leader who has signed on to HB 1275 and is actively promoting the bill. Republican leader Sam Smith (Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson), Democratic leader William DeWeese (Fayette, Greene, Washington), and Democratic whip Keith McCall (Carbon) have not indicated that they will support HB 1275. This is unfortunate since the leadership of each party can have a huge influence over their members' votes. Although the motives for their reluctance can only be assumed, these leaders need a stern admonition from each of us to let them know that we expect them to ignore the petty politics, be TRUE representatives of the people, and do what is right for the taxpayers of Pennsylvania. Their contact information is at the bottom of this update.

It is also VERY important that you contact your district's representative during the next week to let him or her know that you expect them to support HB 1275 and that your vote and the votes of your friends in 2008 will be determined by their support of this legislation. To this point we've been respectful with these politicians in requesting their support but many have totally ignored our wishes. With their re-election coming up this year it is now time to play hardball. As Tony Phyrillas of the Pottstown Mercury recently said in his blog, "It's time to hold your representatives accountable. Make sure they hear from you and the message should be loud and clear: Eliminate property taxes now or voters will eliminate your job in 2008". Well said, Tony! You can find contact information for your representative by Zip+4 here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm.

Remember, too, when you contact your representative that House Bill 1600 is still being considered. This bill is no different than the soundly defeated Act 1 tax shift referendum and will permanently raise both the sales and income taxes to finance a small property tax rebate (approximately $414) that will be quickly negated by relentlessly rising property taxes. This fraudulent, worthless legislation is nothing more than a tax increase in disguise and MUST BE DEFEATED! Be sure that your representative knows that you expect him or her to REJECT HB 1600. Further details about HB 1600 are available here: http://mysite.verizon.net/drbsr/PTCCWeb/HB1600.htm

One final note on HB 1275, the School Property Tax Elimination Act. It's easy to tell the good guys from the self-serving members of the House of Representatives by their support for this bill. Unlike Act 1 - the property tax "relief" measure that benefits everyone EXCEPT the taxpayer by funding racing purses, jockey pensions, the Philadelphia Convention Center, and the Pittsburgh Penguins Arena - the School Property Tax Elimination Act is pure in that it benefits NO ONE but the people and schoolchildren of Pennsylvania. There is NOTHING in HB 1275 that favors the politicians or the special interests. HB 1275 is a remarkably honest piece of legislation and those legislators who support it are truly working for your interests.