Feb. 24, 2015
HARRISBURG – Members of the state House of Representatives today voted to approve and send to the state Senate for consideration
House Bill 147, legislation authored by Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) that would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to completely exclude principal places of residence from school property taxes.
The measure takes the state constitution’s existing property tax relief provision and builds on it to allow for the complete elimination of residential school property taxes through the homestead exclusion.
“While this is the current mechanism to provide residential property tax relief, it is inadequate as it caps the amount of relief that can be provided,” Maloney said. “My legislation will amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow local taxing authorities to exclude from taxation up to 100 percent of the assessed value of the homestead property receiving the exclusion. This provision, if adopted, will improve upon an already established property tax relief mechanism by allowing for the elimination of residential school property taxes via the homestead exclusion.”
To amend the state constitution, the same bill containing the amendment must be debated and passed in two consecutive sessions, and then approved by referendum vote by the people of Pennsylvania. The governor’s signature is not required.
“There is a need to fund the core functions of government – roads, schools, public safety – but I do not believe that a tax that would take a person’s home after working their whole life to pay for it is a ‘core’ function of government – in fact, it is immoral,” Maloney said. “I am hopeful the Senate will soon schedule my amendment for a floor vote.”
Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner
clardner@pahousegop.com
RepMaloney.com