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Piccola Rejects Rendell's False Hope
HARRISBURG -- Senate
Majority Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15) today called Governor Ed Rendell's third major
appeal for property tax relief "another disappointment and broken promise to
Pennsylvania taxpayers."
"Today, over two and half
years late, the Governor called the Legislature into Special Session yet offered
only the failed Act 72 as the relief. Special Sessions are convened during
extraordinary circumstances and should produce special or extraordinary
results. The Governor's plan does neither," he said.
"Over three years ago,
Governor Rendell vowed to provide significant property tax relief to all
homeowners in this Commonwealth. He has failed to do so. The Governor has
instead chosen to focus his time and energy on an agenda that collects and
spends more taxpayer dollars rather than returning money to hard-working
Pennsylvanians. Families have seen taxes climb with none of his pledged relief
in their pocketbooks or in sight," said Piccola.
"While the Governor
continues to tout Act 72, precious time is lost and school property taxes go
up. He summed it up best in his address today when he told lawmakers that we
shouldn't consider new ideas until we've considered failed ideas," Piccola said.
"Act 72 has been a failure
because it was funded by very doubtful gaming revenues. The Governor is
offering property taxpayers false hope. Even if you concede that gaming will
raise $1 billion, the most that his plan can offer is 12 percent in savings for
the $8.3 billion that people pay in school property taxes. We can do better --
much better," Piccola said.
"Taxpayers cannot absorb
another letdown or setback from Ed Rendell. The time has passed for window
dressing approaches. Real, concrete reform is needed now. Real estate taxes
are the most regressive of all taxes. We need a bold overhaul of our tax system
in the form of total elimination of our school property taxes and replace them
with a fairer, broader, and lower sales tax. My legislation -- Senate Bills 891
and 892 -- will do just that," said Piccola.
"Pennsylvanians deserve less
talk and more action. That's why I've proposed a plan that eliminates all
school property taxes. Bold reform of our existing tax structure is necessary
in order to abolish property taxes as a funding source for education," said
Piccola.
"We cannot continue to fund
a 21st Century education with a 19th Century tax. This Governor doesn't
understand that -- because he's out of touch with what's most important to
Pennsylvanians," added Piccola.
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