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For Immediate
Release
2/05/07
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Appropriations Committee Moves Two Important Bills
EMS Tax, emergency responder grant program measures
headed to Senate
HARRISBURG --
The Senate Appropriations Committee, meeting today for the first time in the
2007-08 Legislative Session, unanimously approved two major pieces of
legislation and sent the bills to the full Senate for final consideration.
Senate Bill 10,
a top priority of the Senate Republican Caucus, would reauthorize a
state grant program that provides essential financial support for
volunteer firefighters and ambulance services.
"I am pleased
that this important bill is going to the Senate for final passage," said
Senator Bob Regola, R-39th District and the bill's prime sponsor.
"Pennsylvania's volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services
crews provide a tremendous and invaluable service to our communities."
Since 2000, the
General Assembly has regularly appropriated $25 million to the PA
Emergency Management Agency to provide grants to
volunteer fire
and EMS departments. Senate Bill 10 would update and reauthorize the
grant program for 2007.
Senate Bill 218,
introduced by Senator Pat Browne, R-16th District, would make
significant changes to the Emergency Municipal Services Tax, It would
end the lump-sum maximum payment of $52 and set specific restrictions on
how taxing entities may use revenues raised by the levy.
Senator Browne's
bill mirrors the language of Senate Bill 157, of which he was the prime
sponsor during last session. That measure was approved by the General
Assembly, but vetoed by the Governor, who said the legislation did not
provide adequate time for municipalities to prepare for the changes.
SB 218 would
rename the EMS Tax as the "Local Services Tax" to reflect the expanded
allowable uses for the revenue. It would also require that it be
withheld on a payroll-period basis with a maximum deduction of $1 per
week and also exempts those earning $12,000 or less per year from the
tax. Employers would be required to remit the LST collections on a
quarterly basis.
"Many
municipalities adopted the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax at the
maximum rate of $52 per year and withheld that in one lump sum, which
created a tremendous financial burden for many lower-income workers."
Senator Browne said. "Under this measure, low-income workers will be
exempt and everyone else will see the tax burden reduced to $1 per week.
Both bills could
be considered by the Senate for final passage as early as later this
week.
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