RECALL QUALIFIED STAFF. WHENEVER OPPORTUNITIES ARISE. HAPPENING TODAY, REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR DON KEEFER IS HOSTING A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL TO TALK ABOUT A PROPOSED BILL TO ELIMINATE SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES. SENATOR KEEFER REPRESENTS PARTS OF CUMBERLAND AND YORK COUNTIES. LAWMAKERS SAY THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO REPLACE THE TAXES BY RAISING THE SALES TAX INSTEAD. THIS IS A REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL. THEY SAY RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO CALL IN AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BILL AND SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES. WE HAV
Will Pennsylvania end school property taxes? Lawmakers to host town hall on proposal
Updated: 5:00 AM EDT Jul 1, 2026
Pennsylvania lawmakers are set to host a virtual town hall on Wednesday to discuss legislation aimed at eliminating school property taxes in the Commonwealth. Sen. Dawn Keefer will be joined by Rep. Wendy Fink to discuss the School Property Tax Elimination Act, a proposal they say would replace school property taxes with what they describe as a fairer and more stable funding model for public schools. Bill would shift school funding modelAccording to Keefer, the proposal would eliminate school property taxes and replace them with a 1.88% increase in the personal income tax and a 2% increase in the sales and use tax. The measure would also provide $300 million in new funding to Philadelphia schools in its first year, lower mortgage escrow payments, improve housing affordability, require landlords to pass savings on to tenants for one year, increase funding for educators, encourage blight reduction and support economic growth and job creation, according to the memo. Town hall open to residentsThe virtual town hall is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 1, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about the proposal, ask questions and share concerns about rising property taxes. “No one should be one life event away from losing their home,” Keefer said. “For too long, Pennsylvania has relied on a broken property tax system that unfairly burdens seniors, working families and homeowners. My legislation is designed to fix that by replacing it with a modern, sustainable approach.” Pennsylvania residents who want to join the town hall may sign up or listen live online. Those who register will automatically receive a call when the event begins. Stay with WGAL for updates. See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are set to host a virtual town hall on Wednesday to discuss legislation aimed at eliminating school property taxes in the Commonwealth.
Sen. Dawn Keefer will be joined by Rep. Wendy Fink to discuss the School Property Tax Elimination Act, a proposal they say would replace school property taxes with what they describe as a fairer and more stable funding model for public schools.
Bill would shift school funding model
According to Keefer, the proposal would eliminate school property taxes and replace them with a 1.88% increase in the personal income tax and a 2% increase in the sales and use tax.
The measure would also provide $300 million in new funding to Philadelphia schools in its first year, lower mortgage escrow payments, improve housing affordability, require landlords to pass savings on to tenants for one year, increase funding for educators, encourage blight reduction and support economic growth and job creation, according to the memo.
Town hall open to residents
The virtual town hall is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 1, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about the proposal, ask questions and share concerns about rising property taxes.
“No one should be one life event away from losing their home,” Keefer said. “For too long, Pennsylvania has relied on a broken property tax system that unfairly burdens seniors, working families and homeowners. My legislation is designed to fix that by replacing it with a modern, sustainable approach.”
Pennsylvania residents who want to join the town hall may sign up or listen live online. Those who register will automatically receive a call when the event begins.
Stay with WGAL for updates.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.