Auditor General DePasquale to Hold Public Meetings Discussing Constitutional Amendment on Tax-Exempt Properties, Public Charities
Auditor General DePasquale to Hold Public Meetings Discussing Constitutional Amendment on Tax-Exempt Properties, Public Charities
Voters must understand both sides of amendment that could significantly impact local communities
HARRISBURG (Feb. 19, 2014) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced details for a series of informational meetings in March to provide voters with balanced information on a possible constitutional amendment that could significantly impact local communities by changing the way purely public charities are designated.
“Constitutional amendments should never be taken lightly, especially when they have the potential for major impact on our communities’ tax bases,” DePasquale said. “It is the responsibility of every voter to understand both sides of the issue on this amendment well before they enter the voting booth.”
At issue is a struggle between the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania courts as to who has the authority to define purely public charities that are exempt from property taxes at all levels, including county, municipal and school district. Senate Bill 4 intends to give full authority to the General Assembly, but does not specify how charities will be defined. The bill passed Senate Feb. 17 and is expected to be considered soon by the House.
To help raise awareness about the complicated issues surrounding the designation of charities and granting of tax exemptions, DePasquale released a special report on the topic in December. The report looked at 10 counties and found that more than $1.5 billion in property tax revenue is potentially lost in the 10-county sample. The report reflects potential property tax liability in the county, municipality and school district where each property is located. The “Review of Potential Lost Revenue Due to Property Tax Exemptions” special report is available online here.
The public meetings will be held:
• Allegheny County: (updated time) Noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, March 12, Gold Room, 4th Floor, Allegheny County Court House, Grant Street, Pittsburgh
• Lackawanna County: 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday, March 19, Council Chambers, Scranton City Hall, 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton
• Philadelphia: 12:45 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, City Council Chambers, Philadelphia City Hall, Broad and Market streets, Philadelphia
• Harrisburg: 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, Room 8-EA, East Wing, Capitol, Harrisburg
Time is limited to two hours for each meeting. Requests to speak in-person at the hearings and written testimony submission may be sent via email to news@PaAuditor.gov.
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