PRINTER'S NO. 3814
No. 300 Session of 1976
INTRODUCED BY WORRILOW, M. E. MILLER JR., GARZIA,
A. K. HUTCHINSON, HOPKINS, O'DONNELL, SIRIANNI, CAPUTO,
PYLES, MEBUS AND BERLIN, NOVEMBER 8, 1976
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, NOVEMBER 9, 1976
In the House of Representatives, November 8, 1976
1 The school districts of Pennsylvania are presently facing a
2 financial crisis; and
3 Property taxation provides the primary source of revenue to
4 school districts; and
5 There are present inequities associated with property tax
6 administration and the uneven distribution of property tax
7 wealth within the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions;
8 and
9 The act of June 30, 1971, Act 25 which amended the Public
10 School Code relative to alternative methods of equalizing tax
11 levies among certain school districts in the Commonwealth is in
12 need of revision; and
13 The role of property taxation in financing public schools has
14 become the subject of controversy in Federal courts; and
15 The significant difference in municipal property tax bases in
16 relation to school enrollment and educational needs was a major
17 issue in the court decisions; therefore be it
1 RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission of the
2 Pennsylvania General Assembly review, examine and investigate
3 present inequities in public school financing as it relates to
4 property taxation, improper assessment procedures, and uneven
5 distribution of property tax wealth among school districts
6 including those school districts whose taxing jurisdiction
7 includes more than one county or municipality; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission may hold
9 hearings, take testimony, and make its investigation at such
10 places as it deems necessary within this Commonwealth; and be it
11 further
12 RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission shall
13 report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly
14 as soon as possible.
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