2012 Constituent Survey
As many of you are aware, I have watched very closely and reported on a bill that offered to eliminate property taxes by increasing the base of our sales tax. After much analysis, the numbers of this bill unfortunately are not enough to replace property taxes.

The challenge in attempting to reduce and/or eliminate school property taxes includes finding a way to generate the revenue needed to provide the level of desired relief. Total elimination requires filling a $9 billion hole, and that is for residential properties alone. Add commercial properties into the mix, and you are searching for a $12 billion revenue stream.

With all this in mind, I would like your thoughts on the following questions as they relate to issues the Legislature will face in 2012.
1. Realizing we will all reach this age, would you support the forfeiture of the gaming rebate currently provided to homeowners to provide school property tax elimination for individuals over age 65 with an annual income of no more than $65,000? *


2. Switching to an alternative revenue source would be possible for elimination of residential property taxes, but would require a constitutional amendment in order to separate commercial property taxes from residential property taxes. Would you support a constitutional amendment and the necessary process for complete elimination of school property taxes for residential property by shifting to an increase in the Sales and Use Tax, Personal Income Tax or a combination thereof? This would require passage in two terms of the General Assembly and approval by voter referendum. *


3. What level of school property tax elimination do you support? *




4. The elimination of residential school property taxes will require identifying an alternative revenue source(s) totaling $9.1 billion and a constitutional amendment, which will take a minimum of three years to pass. Do you support raising other taxes to offset the elimination of residential school property taxes? *


5. The elimination of both residential and commercial school property taxes will require identifying an alternative revenue source(s) totaling $12.9 billion. Do you support raising other taxes to offset the elimination of residential and commercial school property taxes? *


6. If you support the elimination of residential and/or residential and commercial school property taxes, which method or methods of taxation do you support to offset the elimination of school property taxes? Please mark all choices you would support. *









Other
7. In order to completely eliminate school property taxes, either for residential only or for residential and commercial properties, it will require a reserve of funds from increasing other taxes for at least one year, all while paying your current school property taxes. Do you still support the elimination of school property taxes knowing you will pay higher taxes for one year, while still paying school property taxes before school property taxes can be completely eliminated? *


8. Do you support expanding educational opportunities to students, known as school choice, through vouchers? *


9. Do you support expanding school choice through vouchers to all students, regardless of a family’s ability to pay? *


10. Do you believe Pennsylvania should privatize liquor stores? *


11. If you support privatization, how should the proceeds be specifically set aside (check all that apply): *







Other
12. Do you think Pennsylvania should enact a Marcellus Shale impact fee? *


13. How should the proceeds from an impact fee be invested (check all that apply): *







Other
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