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Motion expressing the Sense of Council of Allegheny County, supporting legislation sponsored by State Senator Sean Logan and Representative Marc Gergely that proposes the abolishment of all property taxes on homesteads and farmsteads within the Commonwealth; and further, urging Governor Rendell and the members of the General Assembly to take all appropriate actions to assist in this effort.
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WHEREAS, it is the belief of this Council that reliance upon the property tax must be reduced and a fairer, more equitable way to finance our schools and local governments must be found; and
WHEREAS, the inherent problems of the property tax result in young families being more hesitant to buy homes because of the uncertainty of the tax; and
WHEREAS, lower income families and individuals, particularly our seniors, find themselves financially strapped because of our failed property assessment system; and
WHEREAS, abolishing the property tax will encourage our legislature to take a serious look at other methods of financing education and local government in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, legislation introduced in Harrisburg will (1) abolish all property taxes on homesteads and farmsteads owned and occupied as primary residences in Pennsylvania; (2) propose a Constitutional amendment that would allow homesteads and farmsteads to be taxed at a different rate than commercial and industrial property; and, (3) proposes integrated amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth that would circumvent the need to wait two more years before voters could approve a constitutional change.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, AND IT IS THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, that we support legislation sponsored by State Senator Sean Logan and Representative Marc Gergely that proposes the abolishment of all property taxes on homesteads and farmsteads within the Commonwealth; and further, urge Governor Rendell and the members of the General Assembly to take all appropriate actions to assist in this effort.