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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 9, 2015 09:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Donald C. White |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Two-thirds majority vote for tax rate millage increases |
| I plan to introduce legislation in the near further which will require a two-thirds majority vote of a board of school directors to increase property taxes. Under current law, a board of school directors may increase property tax rates by a simple majority vote. My proposal will require all property tax rate millage increases proposed by a school board to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote (6 votes). In the context of the broader debate on property tax relief and recognizing school district property taxes equate to roughly 70% of the overall property tax burden, school tax increases should be held to a higher threshold of approval. Without a commitment to cost containment, citizens will continue to pay increased property taxes, regardless of efforts we undertake to shift the overall tax burden away from the property tax to other sources. By requiring a two-thirds majority vote, school districts will be encouraged to more carefully consider future expenditures before imposing an increased burden on taxpayers. This proposed bill is similar to House Bill 1066, which was recently introduced by Representative Rosemary Brown. If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please feel free to contact Anne Achenbach, of my staff, at 717-787-4404 or aachenbach@pasen.gov. |