Berks to host tax forum

Berks County, the epicenter of the property tax elimination movement, is planning a public forum to discuss tax reform.

"There have been few opportunities for the public to learn about and civilly discuss taxation, tax fairness, and tax reform in Pennsylvania," according to a message posted on the county Web site.

The forum will take place on July 28 at Berks Ag Center in Bern Township, just north of Reading.

Topics include an overview of which taxes are available to local jurisdictions, as well as taxation from elected officials' perspectives.

Scheduled to attend are Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach; Ken Grimes, an Upper Tulpehocken Township supervisor; and Don Raifsnider, a Muhlenberg School District board member.

Leinbach said all residents who come to the forum will be divided into roundtable groups, each consisting of five to seven taxpayers and a facilitator.

"We'll give every single person the chance to go on the record," Leinbach told The Mercury.

That information will be shared with Berks County and Penn State’s Cooperative Extension service, which encourages active participation in community decisions by all Pennsylvanians, according to Leinbach.

"This is not a forum where we're standing up and opposing or supporting legislation," Leinbach told the newspaper. "This is a great feedback opportunity."

Residents interested in attending are encouraged to register by calling 610-328-1327, or BerksExt@psu.edu.

The forum runs from 7 to 9:15 p.m., Monday, July 28.