Posted by Had E. Nuff on May 04, 2005 at 20:16:12 (PST):
In Reply to: Re: S.T.O.P.- other opposers-Act 72 ??? posted by Joe on May 04, 2005 at 17:58:33 (PST):
: : : I can't understand why the people of S.T.O.P. and others for the elimination of property tax are so against Act 72.
: : : I also want the tax eliminated but I don't see how they figure that passing Act 72 will harm thier cause. We can STILL push for the elimination, but until then, "Why not pass this?" It's like they are ALL or Nothing. It is as if they feel that passing "72" will be a "roadblock" against elimination.
: : : If ANYTHING opting IN to "72" will HELP the cause for elimination.
: : : In order to eliminate property tax, we must find another way of generating the funds neccessary.
: : : The relief, any relief, will LOWER the amount of funds required to be generated by property taxes, thus making the amount that we need to replace LESS.
: : : If we lower the amount property owners are paying, that is that much less money we need to generate from OTHER taxes. It will be easier to replace $1,150 than it will to replace $1,500.
: : : I simply don't understand WHY S.T.O.P. is against this.
: : : It is as if Bob Logue has been paid off and is now working against us. I doubt this is the case, but that's how it seems. Here's a guy who has pushed for the elimination or the tax for YEARS and YEARS and now SUDDENLY he is AGAINST LOWERING that same tax. Would he be FOR raising the tax? That's essentially what we're doing if we don't opt in....We will ALL be paying MORE THAN WE NEED TO PAY. Since we will need to pay MORE, MORE people will lose there homes.
: : : Maybe the signs should read: "G.O." Ahead and tax me AS MUCH AS YOU WANT, until you eliminate property tax.
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: : I think that STOP has been working hard and feel that they are close to reaching their goal...total elimination of property taxes. They smell a rat with Rendell. If this is such a good deal, why isn't everyone for it? (I'm just playing devil's advocate here) Most of the letters I see in the paper aren't even from STOP people and they are against it also. I don't think this is being turned down just because school district's are afraid of referendum. I think that was thrown in there for the lawmakers to use as an excuse. There is a very good chance, regardless of whether district's opt in or not, that they all will go to referendum anyway. They can't even tell us that we can get a share of the money that would have went to district's that opted out. Why not? Is it going to go back to the gambling committee? Why is Philadelphia getting so much money compared to us? Why didn't they let us taxpayers vote on this instead of school boards? And what is the big rush with the May 30 deadline? I also want to know why we even have to increase income tax at all. After all, the slots were supposedly approved with the main purpose to lower property tax. This is all new money, why do we get such a small share? If they really wanted to give us tax relief, why are there so many questions? I see what your saying, take what you can and work to get better. But how many people will start snoozing because they figure this is all they are getting anyway? I find this whole act 72 insulting. Do they think we are so desperate for relief we will jump at the first offer they have? I've talked to people from STOP. They are knowledgable and willing to talk to anyone. They are very dedicated to their cause and I don't feel that they have anything but the best intentions.
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: Since STOP wants no property taxes and they don't favor a user based tax or an income tax how do they plan on funding the schools?
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>I've read the same letters you have, MANY of the letters ARE from STOP people...How do I know?...I have called them....they SAY they are.
I believe that the referendum issue is the MAIN reason the districts are against this. The reason many others are is that they are paid by the district and don't want to see the board lose the ability to raise property tax because they feel it will hurt thier chances of getting a raise. I know MANY people who ARE paid by the district who were "all for" 72 until they found out it would mean the board losing this power.
Yes, there IS a bill in the works solely to force this referendum, reguardless of ACT 72.
They HAVE said that we will get money from the districts who opt out. If we opt in, more other districts opting out means more money for our district. Perhaps this is why the districts who are planning on opting in are waiting. Maybe they figure the more districts they can convince not to opt in, the more money thier district will get.
I understand your feelings about Philly getting more but that's the way it is with EVERYTHING IN THIS STATE, NOT JUST ACT 72. It needs to change. Philly gets it all. They also have to big of a voice. I read somewhere that over 80% of the states welfare recipeints live in Philadelphia's county!
I also agree that this should have went to a vote. If it had, we would be opted in and this wouldn't be an issue.
The May 30th deadline is just that...a deadline, they have to set deadlines or things don't get done. Why keep putting it off?
ALL the money was supposed to go to property tx relief. But,like always, as soon as the polititions see money comming in, they put thier hands out for thier "pet projects".
This is not "jumping at thier first offer" it's not like we are negotiating. You cannot negotiate with the government.
If the good people at STOP are so smart and so dedicated to the cause they will continue to fight for elimination whether Act 72 passes or not.
I don't think the STOP people are so smart. Many of them think that putting a sign in thier yard makes them an authority on the subject.
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Yes, Speaking, I agree. The STOP people want property tax eliminated but they don't want to pay any other taxes to make up for it. If property tax goes, we MUST be taxed in some other way.