Aug. 01, 2024

New Pittsburgh Property Tax Program is Not the Right Tool
Too often, the rush to fix a problem drives well-intended public servants to use the wrong tools to fix a problem.

This is certainly the case regarding the recently enacted Act 53 of 2024. The new law establishes a Longtime Owner Occupant Tax Exemption Program (LOOP) and allows only Pittsburgh’s local government to exempt or defer increases in property taxes for people who have lived in homes they own for a certain period of time and only in certain Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Some communities in Pittsburgh have experienced recent economic growth surges and increased development. Generally speaking, of course, economic growth is welcomed.

In speaking with House members in Allegheny County, there is an unintended consequence when economic growth occurs at a fast rate. For longtime homeowners in such neighborhoods, the rising property values have come with higher property taxes they may not be able to afford.

And this is the problem that a LOOP program is intended to address, assisting those longtime property owners.

However, it is a problem that is not just occurring in Pittsburgh. In fact, it can be seen in communities throughout the Commonwealth, including neighborhoods within the 55th Legislative District.

Addressing the issue this way, by capping or even decreasing property tax rates for some owners, only pushes the tax burden to others, who will now have to pay even more. In this case, property owners in outlying communities throughout Allegheny County will be covering the tax burden.

I consider this the wrong tool to fix the problem.

Pennsylvania’s property tax system is in need of a major overhaul. This is a bipartisan and popular truth. Attaching the liability of local road maintenance, community safety and quality education on property owners is problematic, specifically for seniors whose incomes almost never keep pace with the rising costs to provide those services.

Though legislative reforms have been offered many times in the past, they have not advanced.

But if we are committed to using the right tools to address a problem, we have to be willing to take up the most complicated issues. At some point, and I fear sooner rather than later, this problem will become too big, and providing relief to only a handful of property owners unintentionally expands the problem rather than fixing it.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

PHEAA Announces Financial Aid Seminars - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting free webinars in August aimed at helping students and families understand financial aid and loan repayment.

The webinar titled “Deep Dive into Covering the Gap” will be offered at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. This one-hour session aims to help students and their families understand their bill and financial aid package, and determine what, if any, borrowing is needed to cover the difference between aid and actual cost.

The webinar titled “Financial Aid Timeline – Know What to Do When” will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, and again at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20. This one-hour presentation will provide the starting points and web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes post-secondary education decisions.

For a full schedule, and to register your participation, visit pheaa.org/virtual.

New Grant Program for Sportsmen’s Clubs Accepting Applications - The Pennsylvania Game Commission is now accepting applications for its Pennsylvania Shooting Range Improvement Program.

Applicants may include existing shooting ranges, shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs and education groups. Applicants must demonstrate public use of current facilities.

Eligible projects include development and renovation of facilities, construction of backstops and safety berms, addition of permanent target systems, creation of shooting stations and covers, lead remediation, and more.

Applications are due Sept. 1. For more information on the program, including the application, visit www.pgc.pa.gov.

Legal Summit Planned for Friday – I will be partnering with Summit Legal Aid for a free event where you can learn about your legal rights and participate in an afternoon of community fun. It is taking place Friday, Aug. 9, from 1-4 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, located at 800 Constitution Blvd. in New Kensington. New Kensington and Westmoreland County residents are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged for food planning, but not required. You can register by visiting www.summitlegal.org/new-kensington-summer-summit. All attendees will be entered for a free basket raffle.
Share