Pennsylvania House Advances Property Tax Proposal
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The state House could take a final vote later today on a property tax relief plan that received initial approval on Tuesday.
The state House Tuesday approved an amendment that would increase state income and sales taxes to reduce property taxes. The bill now containing the amendment still needs a final vote. Supporters like Bucks County Republican Gene DiGirolamo said the measure is not perfect, but that he would vote for it anyway.
"This is the last chance you have to reduce property taxes," he said.
Fellow Republican Kate Harper of Montgomery County opposes the measure.
"Make no mistake about it," Harper said, "it's a massive tax shift, and a massive tax increase."
Governor Tom Wolf's own proposal to increase sales and income taxes for property tax relief differs in significant ways. Nonetheless, his spokesman called the House vote on the amendment "an important step forward."