Mifflin County, PA In Support of Tax Fairness

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 3/3/05

Source File: http://www.cityofwilliamsport.org/mifflin/lib/mifflin/commissioners/meetingminutes/2005/2005-03-03.pdf

Text:

TAX FAIRNESS RESOLUTION No. 05-07

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania’s Counties truly are the caretakers of our communities, Counties preserve democracy by administering the election process, improve our health and welfare by helping families and individuals in need with human services, and responding in times of emergency; and they preserve and showcase Pennsylvania’s natural, cultural and historic resources through careful and effective planning and economic development. The increasing demand for new and improved service to the community should not be balanced with unfair and inequitable taxes; and,

WHEREAS, all of Pennsylvania’s Counties rely on property taxes as their main, and sometimes only, revenue source; but, the present local tax system doesn’t consider a taxpayer’s ability to pay; and,

WHEREAS, local governments are not looking for ways to collect more taxes, but a way to restructure the tax among individuals and groups of taxpayers; Pennsylvania’s Counties believe that local taxes can be equitable and fair; and,

WHEREAS, each County has a unique and different tax base—they know what is best for their individual community. Having a menu of options for local taxes would reduce the need for sole reliance on property taxes;

THEREFORE, we, the Mifflin County Board of Commissioners join County leaders from around the state in calling for measures that are “tax fair”, allowing local governments to reduce the real estate tax in proportion to revenue generated by other sources of income, such as a personal income or sales tax. If a proposal such as this passed into law by the State Legislature, Mifflin County would perform an extensive review of all the options before making a recommendation.

BE IT RESOLVED, that Mifflin County supports the Blueprint for Local Tax Fairness: A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Communities as the right proposal to achieve effective local tax reform in Pennsylvania.