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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 20, 2015 05:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Hennessey |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | STRIVE - Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange Program |
| I am reintroducing legislation that had been introduced in prior sessions by our late colleague, Representative Dick Hess. This bill authorizes school districts to set up programs in which senior citizens volunteer in the school district in which they reside and receive a partial credit against their school property tax 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 on-going dilemma over the affordability of property taxes, it is prudent for us as policymakers to find ways to help people, especially our elderly, with paying their property taxes without sacrificing the quality of education. This legislation, which is endorsed by the PA School Boards Association, grants explicit legislative authorization to allow all public school districts in the Commonwealth to implement programs that allow taxpayer residents 60 years of age and older to volunteer in schools and receive a real property tax credit in exchange for their service. Currently, there are 18 school districts that PSBA is aware of that have senior citizen tax rebate programs. Services that seniors may provide to schools include tutoring children, mentoring activities. School districts would 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. |
Introduced as HB791