Senate Sends Corbett Bills To Smooth Out Nutter's Property Tax Overhaul
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The state Senate has sent Governor Corbett the first of three bills intended to smooth out the transition as Mayor Nutter's property tax overhaul is implemented. A spokesman says the governor will sign the bill.
The bill headed to the governor's desk – sponsored by Philadelphia House Democrat Michael O'Brien – would allow city council to consider age and financial means in granting relief to long-time owners of a home who experience a jump in property taxes.
"I think it's an important step in keeping people who are long-time residents in their homes and not having to fear a tax increase that they can't handle."
Erik Arneson, spokesman for the Senate majority leader, says two other bills in the package already passed by the House are in line for Senate action as well.
"At this point, [we] still anticipate dealing with them one way or another between now and the end of the year."
One of those bills would allow Philadelphians to pay property taxes in installments; the other would improve delinquent property tax collection and raise an estimated $30 million for city schools.
