If you're waiting for the Legislature to take action on the push in both the House and Senate on bills that would eliminate property taxes, I wouldn't hold my breath.
That's the distinct impression I got last night during our 'Live From the Newsroom' show on the issue, with several local tax activists and state Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-163. If you missed the show you can catch the replay here.
Nobody has worked harder to fix the state's education funding mechanism - and its dependence on property taxes - than the Upper Darby Republican. But it was pretty clear from his comments last night that he's dubious that the Legislature will get the job done. Micozzie believes the best bet to change the system likely will come through the courts.
Micozzie is old school. He knows the art of compromise. And he remembers that he is in Harrisburg as the people's representative. You can tell he's not a fan of the partisan bickering that holds sway over government these days.
He knows that the so-called Property Tax Independence Act, House Bill 76, and its sister legislation in the Senate, are doomed with some of his Republican brethren because they include hikes in both the sales and personal income tax to replace the property tax. In case you haven't noticed, tax hikes are strictly a non-starter with a lot of Republicans in Harrisburg these days. Witness the way that crucial transportation funding bill got derailed in the last session.
My thanks to the other members of our panel, John Ianotti, of the Delaware County Taxpayers Coalition, and John Bartholomeo and Cynthia Sabatini from the Rose Tree Media Taxpayers United group.
We believe the Property Tax Independence Act should get a fair hearing in both the House and Senate. Today's editorial backs up that stance.
But we don't think it's going to happen any time soon.
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