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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 5, 2012 11:38 AM
From:	Senator John R. Gordner
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	STEB Reforms

In the near future, I will be reintroducing legislation to move the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) under the purview of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). As many of you know, there have been instances in the past where STEB incorrectly determined market values within municipalities, which resulted in erroneous data being used by numerous school districts that require multi-county tax equalization. Governor Tom Corbett proposed moving STEB under the umbrella of DCED in his 2012-2013 budget proposal. I reviewed this initiative and agreed with its premise. Therefore, I introduced SB 1546. This bill passed the Senate unanimously, but did not gain final House approval prior to the end of the Session. Under the plan, STEB will remain a 3-person board. However, shifting its oversight to DCED will provide greater support services for STEB staff and board members and will cultivate the development of a partnership with the Center for Local Government Services, another entity under DCED. The bill also contains some additional reforms that will ensure that municipalities get the most accurate and reliable information possible from STEB. Please contact my office if you have any questions on this legislation.

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