TIME IS NOW TO EXPLORE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 20 – State Sen. Connie Williams, in lending her support to the governor’s call for a special session on property tax relief, noted that it is imperative that leaders in both parties and the administration come together on a tax relief plan that will work.

 “Democrats forced the hand of the Schweiker administration in 2002 to hold a special session on property tax reform, but little was accomplished, because of partisan politics,” Williams said. “The Republicans who controlled the legislative agenda then – and still do today – didn’t move any of the legislation that was introduced and didn’t make a real attempt to find a solution.”

 Williams added that she felt there was a better chance for a special session to produce results this time, because both the Democrats and the Republicans have offered legislative solutions to address property tax reform. The special session is scheduled to convene Wednesday, Sept. 28^th.

 “The timing for this discussion is good, because the state is moving forward with gaming and that new revenue stream will be available soon,” Williams said. “At this juncture, it is important that we consider all of the property tax relief solutions that are on the table and use those bills to craft a solution that will work for Pennsylvanians. It is equally important for the public to stay involved in the debate.”

 Williams pointed to the need to look at tax cuts, spending controls and gaming revenue as elements of a solution that will help homeowners – especially seniors – afford to stay in their homes, while at the same time ensuring that Pennsylvania’s schools are adequately funded and that all Pennsylvania students are offered a quality education.

 “In the end, this debate comes down to making it affordable to own a home and live in Pennsylvania and to making sure that every student in every area of the state has access to a solid education,” Williams said. “And it comes down to offering a meaningful solution that can become the basis for further tax reform in the future. For Pennsylvania to continue to grow economically and to compete nationally and internationally, the state must continue to evolve – we must look at new ideas, implement new initiatives and change the way we’ve done things in the past. This is a positive challenge and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the people that I represent to make property tax relief a reality.”