Tredyffrin/Easttown

On May 22, 2017, the T/E School Board passed a resolution opposing legislation that restricts a school district’s ability to appeal property assessments. We recently learned the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives is considering a vote on PA House Bill (HB) 1213 in the near future, possibly as soon as Monday, February 5.

 

HB1213 is harmful to Pennsylvania schools for a number of reasons:

• HB1213 restricts a school district’s ability to initiate property tax assessment appeals. 
   
• If commercial or residential properties are permitted to pay taxes below the market assessment, remaining taxpayers will pay higher taxes to maintain school programs.
   
• The bill maintains the property owner’s ability to appeal their assessment, setting up an unfair system.  To date, TESD has lost property tax revenue in excess of $5 million dollars through taxpayer-initiated appeals.

Over the past four years, TESD has successfully appealed properties that were undervalued based on economic factors using market-based sales data and the courts have agreed. These TESD-initiated property assessment appeals have produced almost $600,000 in new property tax revenue to fund the District’s educational program.  Lost revenue opportunities may lead to program cuts for students, increased fees for families, or higher taxes to property owners who already pay their fair share.

A link to the resolution passed in May can be found here.  

 

Make your voice heard!  We are asking the T/E community, parents and staff to call or email to voice their opposition to PA House Bill 1213. Please voice your support for public schools by opposing HB1213.  Please contact your legislators below and ask them to vote “no” on HB 1213. A sample letter opposing HB1213 can be found here.

 

 

PA House of Representatives