School Board Talks New Tax

The Radnor School Board’s government relations committee recently listened to a presentation about House Bill 1189, which sets up a system to eliminate property tax in Pennsylvania.

"The paramount goal of any property tax reform should be to allow school districts to retain local control and to ensure that all tax dollars stay home. No one wants to see additional local tax dollars sent to Harrisburg and for redistribution to other school districts throughout the state," reads a memorandum from Representative Seth Grove.

"This legislative proposal has been drafted to provide school districts with more options to reduce property taxes. This legislation will allow a school district to implement an additional earned income tax, mercantile tax or business privilege tax with the additional revenues used solely for the reduction or elimination of school district property taxes. Revenues generated will be used on a dollar-for-dollar basis to reduce the school district millage rate. If revenues are generated to eliminate the property tax (reduce the millage rate to zero), all tax new tax rates that are implemented under this proposal to reach full elimination will be subject to the Act 1 index," reads the memorandum.

"If a local school district like Radnor, if the school board decides the situation is satisfactory you don’t have to make any changes,” Main Line Media News quotes Michael Stoll, communications director for Rep. William Adolph Jr., R-165, who supports the bill. “There’s a possibility for relief if it’s needed. It’s generated locally and it stays locally, local control. Communities have a lot of control."

Read more from the discussion from Radnor's government relations committee.

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