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| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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| Please do not reply to this e-mail, as I am unable to respond to messages sent to this address. You can contact me directly at vgaydos@pahousegop.com or here. |
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Advocating to Protect Suburban Allegheny County Homeowners from Property Tax Increases
I strongly support property tax relief but only when it is afforded to all. Providing tax breaks for those in the city but not for those in the surrounding suburbs is not only unfair – it is unconstitutional.
Earlier this week, I voted “no” to Senate Bill 219, which passed anyway and was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 53 of 2024. The measure claims to give the city of Pittsburgh the option of enacting a Longtime Owner Occupant Program (LOOP) to help homeowners better manage property taxes in neighborhoods experiencing rapid change due to economic growth.
I voted in the negative because it only would enable the city to establish a LOOP. This program is designed to provide property tax relief exclusively for city residents based on their years of home ownership and increases in property taxes. While this might sound beneficial on the surface, it fails to offer necessary protections for seniors residing in the suburbs.
During our debate on the legislation, my House Republican colleagues offered amendments that would have made this bill fairer to all Allegheny County residents by giving tax breaks to those who live in neighboring communities. However, House Democrats voted to table all amendments. In fact, a leadership member of the House Democrat party, whose district is in the city of Pittsburgh, disallowed any amendments to give a tax break to those who live in neighboring communities. This action effectively silences the voices of those who would be most impacted by potential property tax increases, especially in the wake of a projected countywide property tax reassessment.
Without the proposed amendments, Act 53 of 2024 allows the city of Pittsburgh to defer or exempt property tax increases for its longtime owner occupants. This will inevitably lead to higher county property taxes for seniors in suburban areas to compensate for the tax breaks given only to city residents.
Prior to the vote in the House Chamber, I spoke about why I opposed the bill. During my remarks, Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), along with the speaker of the House, tried to silence me! It didn’t work. My voice was heard!
Please watch the video below.
As I stated in the House Chamber, voters are sick and tired of this nonsense – the weaponization of government and using legislation as a political tool.
Property taxes are a very serious issue. A tax break for city residents and not for those in the suburbs is unacceptable.
I took an oath to safeguard the interests of the constituents in the 44th Legislative District. Our seniors deserve to live their golden years without the fear of being taxed out of their homes. We must advocate for solutions that ensure our seniors can remain in their homes and communities.
I will continue to fight for our seniors and longtime homeowners.
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: |
| 1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township, PA 15108 | Phone: (412) 262-3780, Fax: (412) 262-3783 |
| Capitol Office: |
| Room 428, Irvis Office Building, House Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 | Phone: (717) 787-6651 | |
| Email: vgaydos@pahousegop.com |
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