House votes to cut seniors’ property tax

HARRISBURG (AP) — The state House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to devote all slots revenues to relieve lower-income seniors of their school property tax burden, a dramatic step amid doubts about its prospects for becoming law.

The plan, sponsored by veteran Republican floor strategist Rep. John M. Perzel of Philadelphia, pulled the rug out from under a Democratic proposal to cut property taxes for all homeowners by raising sales and income taxes. It passed 159-36.

Perzel’s amendment — which requires another favorable vote in order to be sent to the Senate — would dedicate the billion dollars a year or more that the slots gambling industry is projected to generate to pay the taxes of older Pennsylvanians on 600,000 homes and other properties.

It would set an age limit of 65 and an income limit for a full tax cut of $40,000. Unlike the Democratic plan, it would not increase any taxes but it would leave about 2.7 million families on track to get tax relief next year with nothing. Perzel disputed predictions his legislation would be vetoed.

“As far as the governor’s concerned, if he doesn’t like seniors, he doesn’t like seniors, I can’t help that,” he said.