Homeowners and lawmakers calling for an elimination of school property taxes in Harrisburg today. But some people say this bill could hurt Pennsylvania students. Lawmakers and people with the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition lined the capitol steps today to speak out against the school property tax in Pennsylvania.
“ The way we fund our public schools today is based on an unfair model from the 1830’s,” says Senator David Argall ( R ) , 29th District
They say they are working on House and Senate Bill 76 which is known as the Property Tax Independence Act . It would essentially eliminate all school property taxes across the commonwealth by using current sales taxes to fund schools.
“ How in the world can we protect our property if we’re only paying rent to our school districts ?,” says Senator Mike Folmer ( R ), 48th District
But not everyone thinks it`s a good idea. Mike Wood, with the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center says there isn’t enough state funding for schools to begin with , and taking more money away would damage students.
“ It leaves a gap and that gap gets bigger over time and as we have a gap for funding it means fewer funding for our kids. A generation of kids that would be hurt by this,” says Wood