Rendell signs realty tax relief bill

Rendell signs realty tax relief bill
Legislation favors lower-income seniors; GOP: It's not enough
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With a symbolic signing ceremony in a widow's tidy North Point Breeze home, Gov. Ed Rendell yesterday showcased a $1 billion property tax relief measure that he hopes will provide a major boost for his re-election campaign along with its aid to Pennsylvania homeowners.

The law, passed this month after a protracted legislative battle, is heavily weighted in favor of lower-income senior citizens like Johnnie Mae Dixon, whose dining room table the governor appropriated as a desk to sign a copy of the bill.

According to administration figures, Mrs. Dixon will receive $750 in a state rebate next year, reducing her net school property tax bill from $830 to $80. Additional state aid projected for the following year will effectively eliminate her school taxes.

The first year of the program draws on a $200 million loan from the state lottery fund. When expected revenue from planned casinos begins to flow, that loan is to be repaid and roughly $700 million in tax relief extended to homeowners across the state, with the average relief projected at about 17 percent of school property tax bills. The average homeowner would see a reduction of roughly $200.
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06179/701676-85.stm

it didn't benefit the wealthier seniors.

I am thrilled if this is as good as it sounds! I applied for a tax rebate based on disability - I wonder if this will carry over?

Thanks Judi Lynn! Good news for a change in Pa.