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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 3, 2022 03:07 PM
From:	Representative Johnathan D. Hershey
To:	All House members
Subject:	Property Tax Relief Package

As many of you can surely attest, property taxes continue to impose a significant financial burden on our constituencies, especially at a time when many are still recovering from the economic impacts of the global health pandemic. Last session, the General Assembly was successful in the passage of multiple bills, ultimately signed into law by the Governor, that provided interim, immediate relief for residents, while simultaneously engaging in ongoing discussions to provide more meaningful, lasting relief. I applaud the work that was accomplished and the progress that was achieved, but frankly more can, and must, be done to continue alleviating this burden from the shoulders of our residents while ensuring that our municipalities and our school districts have the financial resources needed to provide basic services and educational opportunities to help our local communities grow and thrive.   That is why in the near future, I will be introducing a package of bills that will provide the necessary authorization for our local taxing authorities (i.e. counties, municipalities and school districts) to establish various programs intended to provide further property tax relief for our residents. Both programs would be optional and at the discretion of the local taxing authority to implement. I would respectfully ask for your consideration to join as a co-sponsor of either, or both, of these important pieces of legislation, which are further outlined below.

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Document #1

Description:

Document #1 Description:        Expanding Constitutional Authority for Special Tax Provisions for Longtime Owner-Occupants   Currently, Article VIII Section 2 (relating to exemptions and special provisions) provides authorization for local taxing authorities specifically in counties of the first and second class to make special tax provisions for residents who are longtime owner-occupants in areas where real property values have risen due to the refurbishment, renovation of other deteriorating residences, or the construction of new residences, in those areas. My legislation would simply extend this ability to all local taxing authorities regardless of the county in which they reside.

Document #2

Description:

Document #2 Description:        Providing Explicit Authorization to Establish Local Property Tax and Rent Rebate Programs Currently, some local taxing authorities have established local property tax and rent rebate programs that mirror our successful state program. While I applaud the efforts of these authorities, a request has been made for the General Assembly to provide clear, explicit authorization to establish these types of programs. My legislation provides this by adding a new subchapter in Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) to explicitly allow local taxing authorities to establish their own property tax and rent rebate program based on the age, disability, infirmity, or income of an individual, eligibility which is similar to our state program.