Dump the property tax
In the middle of the night our elected representatives in Harrisburg took money from our pockets and filled theirs by voting a pay raise for themselves. These same money grabbers are now spinning House bills 116, 117, 118, 119 and 120. These series of bills would eliminate school property taxes and earned income taxes currently paid by the people to finance public education.
Rep. Mike Veon, a vocal crusader for special interests, has referred to this legislation as a $10 billion tax hike paid by all who spend a dollar, but he refuses to tell people that they will no longer pay $9.8 billion in taxes on their property.
The plan is simple: spend a dollar, add a nickel. The spinmiesters fail to inform the people that hospital and doctor bills are exempt, as are prescription drugs and a list of other goods and services. If you had a choice to either pay tax on your home or on a roll of toilet paper, what would be your answer?
Big money lobbyists are currently lining up to retain the current system of financing public education, but time is on our side.
With 253 state representatives and senators standing in our way, a majority of 127 is needed to release the people of Pennsylvania from the shackles of school property taxes.
The system of funding currently in place penalizes anyone who owns property. Tax notices are mailed out without any stipulation as to economic status, current income, age and, most importantly, ability to pay. Citizens are told that they must pay because they own property. A question must be asked, “Why the property owner?” If a broad-based sales tax was enacted, all would pay.
When the door to public education is open to all, why should a chosen few pay the bill?
Next year we the people can change the way public schools are funded by electing state representatives and senators who offer this simple solution: “All pay some,” not “Some pay all.”
Ed Zadylak
Dunbar