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An Ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, directing that a referendum question regarding tax limitations found in Article II of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County, entitled "Tax Limitations," be placed on the November 4, 2008 General Election ballot.
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WHEREAS, Allegheny County adopted a 10% Drink Tax and a two dollar ($2.00) per day tax on rental vehicle transactions, effective January 1, 2008, for the statutorily limited purpose of providing financial support for transit systems within the County; and
WHEREAS, it has been suggested that, in the event that the drink and/or rental vehicle tax is eliminated or reduced, the property tax rate would have to be increased to make up any shortfall in County revenues; and
WHEREAS, because the drink and car rental tax revenues were only authorized "to obtain financial support for transit systems" under the terms of 53 P.S. ยง8602(a), it is clear that any increase in property taxes due to the reduction or elimination of the drink or car rental taxes would be spent on funding or subsidizing the activities of the Port Authority; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to adhere to the principle of not raising the property taxes of the County's residents in order to fund or subsidize the Port Authority;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of the Preamble.
The provisions set forth in the preamble to this Ordinance are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
SECTION 2. Ballot Question.
The Allegheny County Board of Elections is directed to place the following questions on the November 4, 2008 General Election Ballot for consideration by the registered electors of the County:
"Shall Article II, Section 1 of the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County be amended to limit the County's maximum real estate taxation rate such that it cannot be increased to provide funding or subsidies to t...
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