Slots revenues that supposed to nourish Pennsylvania school districts might have to wait a little longer. Since meanwhile, school boards are filing a lawsuit to stretch the deadline up to 2006, in order to gather more information on the enrollment in property tax program, funded by gambling revenues. Huge responsibility is heaved by districts that have to decide whether they are ready to take upon the Act 72 property tax relief, or not.
According to Gov. Ed Rendell, slots revenues will bring $1 billion to Pennsylvania homeowners. However, before homeowners could finally enjoy it, their home districts must first opt into Act 72. Till now, only six out of 501 school districts have enrolled. Beyond the obvious property tax refund issue, districts must also face a larger theme: to agree or not, to the accompanying increase in 0.1 percent of earned income tax rates. And to find a solution to these districts that fall on two geographical areas covering parts of two counties with two different real estate rates.
Moreover, it is yet to be determined how the slots tax money will be distributed. Taxpayers will not be affected by the delay in any way, since slots parlors are not likely to run prior to 2006, and generate any revenues that could be distributed to homeowners
