May. 13, 2015
HARRISBURG – Voting to cut property taxes by nearly $5 billion today, Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) said the House passed the School Property Tax Reform Act by a vote of 105-86.
“While I voted in favor of this property tax measure today, I view it as moving the process forward for total elimination of school property taxes in Pennsylvania,” Knowles said. “The fact is, many of my colleagues and the people I represent don’t want just reductions, we want total elimination, and frankly, nothing less. But, for those discussions to progress, we have to start somewhere – and I feel that is what the House accomplished this week – the beginning.”
Throughout his years representing the people of the 124th District in the state House, Knowles has remained committed to the issue of property tax reform.
Knowles offered an amendment aimed at protecting taxpayers from certain people who have a difficult time controlling their spending. The amendment would have allowed voters a say in proposed school property tax increases. The amendment was not adopted.
“While I’m disappointed my referendum amendment will not be included in this legislation, I plan to introduce something similar in the near future,” Knowles said. “The House made an important vote today. I expect serious consideration of this proposal as well as a total school property tax elimination plan in the Senate. Hopefully the governor considers the legislation which I believe will be sent to his desk. Pennsylvanians throughout the Commonwealth are in desperate need of property tax reform.”
For more information about property taxes, or any other legislative topic, please contact Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411.
Representative Jerry Knowles
124th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
kcorbin@pahousegop.com
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