Pennsylvania Governor Wants to Alleviate State Property Taxes With Future Slots Revenues
According to a recent report, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has requested that the state Legislature conduct a special session on property tax relief using potential slots revenues. Speculations suggest that behind such a move is an attempt by the Governor to distract public attention from several legislative pay raises approved last July.
Gov. Rendell, a fervent supporter of legalizing, operating and taxing slot machines in Pennsylvania, reportedly wants to require all 501 school districts to comply with Act 72, a law passed in 2004. Under this law, all school districts would be obligated to use money generated by slots revenues, thus alleviating taxation on property. However, most state school boards have thus far rejected the offered aid.
Governor Rendell reportedly wants his plan to be approved by the end of 2005, but doubts that such a goal will be accomplished. It is still uncertain whether or not the aforementioned special session will bring a consensus between the advocates and opponents of slots, but until that happens, school districts will continue collecting over $8 billion per year in property taxes.
