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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 29, 2013 02:40 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Dick L. Hess |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Senior Citizen Property Tax Reduction Exchange Program (HB 273 of 2011-12 Session) |
| I am re-introducing legislation, former HB 273, the Senior Citizen Property Tax Reduction Exchange Program. This legislation authorizes school districts to set up programs in which senior citizens volunteer in the school district in which they reside and receive a property tax credit in exchange for their services. Senior citizens, who are often living on fixed incomes, are especially vulnerable to rising property taxes. Given today’s economy and the ongoing dilemma over the affordability of property taxes, it is prudent for us as policymakers to find ways of lowering property taxes without sacrificing the quality of education. My legislation sets up a program in which senior volunteers will receive a property tax credit at a rate of $5/hour, not exceeding the total amount of property taxes that are owed, in exchange for providing mentoring and other services that enhance the academic program of school districts. Mentoring activities between children and senior citizens have proven to be beneficial for both. Services that seniors may provide to schools include tutoring children, monitoring classrooms or the cafeteria, helping in the library or office, or assisting with after-school programs, as well as a variety of similar mentoring activities. School districts will have the authority to set up specific regulations over the criteria for acceptance. This legislation does not interfere with already existing employees of the school district. Previous cosponsors: HESS, HENNESSEY, GEIST, STERN, BAKER, BARRAR, BEAR, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CLYMER, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DEASY, DeLUCA, DENLINGER, ELLIS, J. EVANS, EVERETT, FARRY, GILLESPIE, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARKINS, HICKERNELL, M.K. KELLER, KOTIK, KULA, LAWRENCE, MANN, MARSICO, MICOZZIE, MURT, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PEIFER, PETRARCA, PETRI, PICKETT, PYLE, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROCK, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD, KAVULICH, DAVIDSON, MILNE, DAVIS, FLECK, WAGNER, R. BROWN AND STEPHENS |
Introduced as HB658