Property Tax Relief
Harrisburg promised us that casinos were a golden ticket to property tax relief. The casinos have gone up, people have been hit hard, and it is time to make them keep their promise, as I have done by voting to use casino revenue for property tax relief in Northampton County.
In this economic climate, we should start reforming our property tax system with those members of our population who need and deserve tax relief the most. I believe we should start property tax relief with seniors and members of our military.
Senior citizens on fixed incomes are particularly vulnerable to oppressive property tax increases, which can impose additional burdens on those who have borne so many already and have no ability to secure additional income. They have earned security, and they deserve property tax relief, which is why I support Sen. Boscola’s efforts to freeze property taxes for the Seniors of Pennsylvania.
I also have a record of fighting for property tax relief for members of our armed forces, reserve, and national guard who are deployed overseas. At a time when our finest Americans are taking enormous personal risks to protect our security, they also often must make financial sacrifices. They deserve property tax relief while they fight for us. However, I consider these incremental steps towards providing critical and meaningful property tax relief for all Pennsylvanians. Over the long term, I will fight for such relief - which will require new energy in Harrisburg, the identification of new revenue streams, and commitment from every branch of state government.
In addition, I support the Fair Share plan that closes tax loopholes enjoyed by large corporations. Today, nearly three-fourths of Pennsylvania companies avoid paying corporate net income taxes in Pennsylvania. This is because of loopholes that allow businesses to shift income and profits to no- or low-tax states to avoid paying Pennsylvania taxes. We must put an end to these practices that hurt our small businesses and cost Pennsylvania jobs.