DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers have tried to eliminate property taxes in the past and the new push to eliminate them has begun, with a new bill proposing a tax increase in other categories, while eliminating property taxes.
The bill would change sales tax in the state from 6% to 8%, including 2% on candy and clothes. It would also increase income tax by nearly 2%. Finally, the bill would tax the retirement fund of Pennsylvanians, something many of them were weary of.
“Why can’t we just reform property taxes? I don’t have to give up anything,” one man said.
“The legislature just needs to reform property taxes. That’s the solution. Not, for me to give up something that I’ve earned,” said another.
Dawn Keefer, who appeared on CBS 21’s Face the State, said she understands the reluctancy, but explained that because many people use their retirement fund to pay their property tax, the bill should pass and eliminate the middle man.
Some of the pushback I’ve gotten is from seniors saying, ‘oh my goodness, you’re going to tax my my retirement’,” Keefer said. “But you use your retirement to pay your property taxes is what you have to look at.”