Posted: | December 10, 2012 03:49 PM |
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From: | Representative Neal P. Goodman |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Municipal Tax Credit for Volunteer First Responders |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to authorize local governing bodies to provide income and/or property tax credits to volunteer first responders. This legislation is similar to House Bill 142 offered by Representative John Hornaman in the 2011-12 Legislative Session. Most Pennsylvania communities are served by volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue companies, and these volunteer companies are continually looking for ways to recruit new members. Since volunteer responders save Pennsylvania residents $6 billion each year in local taxes and insurance costs, municipalities have a vested interest in helping the volunteer companies maintain and enhance their numbers. My legislation would create an important volunteer recruitment tool by permitting municipalities and school districts to establish by ordinance or resolution an earned income tax credit for qualified volunteers. It would also permit counties and school districts to establish by ordinance or resolution a real property tax credit for qualified volunteers. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner would be charged with developing eligibility guidelines for volunteers applying for the tax credits. |
Introduced as HB379