Tax reform is on the back burner again

It's getting harder to believe anything the Democratic leadership in the state House of Representatives has to say these days.

The leadership, headed by Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, keeps saying that property tax relief is a priority in the House. But DeWeese postponed the property tax debate several times in January. When it finally came to the floor, the debate was cut off after a few hours. Here we are in February and property tax reform is again on the back burner.

At some point, Pennsylvania voters have to realize that the current leadership in Harrisburg is not interested in reducing or eliminating property taxes. Until that obstacle is removed, property tax reform is at a standstill.

The Democrats wouldn't allow a fair hearing of House Bill 1275, the school tax elimination plan introduced by Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks. And when Rep. John Perzel outfoxed the Democrats by introducing his "gut and replace" amendment to House Bill 1600, the Democrats adjourned.

Perzel's plan would send all of the money available for property tax relief from the casino revenues to low-income senior citizens, shutting out all other Pennsylvania homeowners.

On Monday, HB 1600 (now the Perzel amended HB 1600) was re-committed to the House Finance Committee, controlled by the Democrats. Bills sent back to committee are usually never heard from again.

There was some talk by DeWeese that the Finance Committee will work on a compromise solution on property taxes, but don't hold your breath.

With Gov. Rendell unveiling his $28.3 billion 2008-09 budget on Tuesday, almost everything else will take a back seat until a budget is approved. That usually takes place in June and then the Legislature adjourns for the summer.

The Friends of John Perzel, which is Perzel's political action committee, took out a full-page advertisement in today's edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer demanding immediate action on his House Bill 1600.

The only way property tax reform will move back to a priority is if taxpayers bombard their state legislators with phone calls and e-mails. Otherwise, the Legislature is happy to sweep the property tax debate under the rug, once again.

Another way for taxpayers to get lawmakers' attention is to vote out incumbents on April 22. Nothing gets the attention of the political class like a clean sweep of career politicians.

So get on the phone, start writing letters and sending e-mails. And don't forget to show up at the polls on April 22 to vote out the incumbents.

For more cartoons by John Cole, click here.