'Tax Wars' heating up in Harrisburg - & Delco

'Tax Wars' is starting to heat up in Harrisburg.

And at least one local representative might find himself in the middle of the storm.

In the wake of the still-to-be-approved budget deal, which will increase the state sales tax to provide revenue for education and property tax relief, new scrutiny is being placed on the push to eliminate property taxes altogether.

That is what would happen under Senate Bill 76, which along with its companion piece House Bill 76 has been dubbed The Property Tax Independence Act.

One of the early backers was state Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26, of Springfield, who signed on as a co-sponsor.

Over the weekend my email was being filled out by angry messages from a group of budget and anti-tax activists in Rose Tree media who are claiming McGarrigle has now pulled his support for the bill.

They're vowing to turn up the heat on McGarrigle, including flooding the district with fliers including his earlier letter backing the legislation.

The measure could be voted on in the Senate this week.

The tax activists believe McGarrigle is caving to pressure being brought by accountants and others whose services would be taxed under the new measure.

We'll reach out to the senator to get his version of things.

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