Town Halls Scheduled Across PA to Engage Residents and Discuss Bold Reform
HARRISBURG – Sen. Dawn Keefer (R-31) and Rep. Wendy Fink (R-94) have introduced legislation to eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvania, offering long-overdue relief to homeowners and creating a more equitable system for funding public education.
Senate Bill 962 and House Bill 1649, known as the School Property Tax Elimination Act, proposes replacing school property taxes with a fairer, more stable revenue model. This would ensure continued investment in schools without forcing residents to shoulder rising property tax bills that threaten their financial security.
“No one should be one life event away from losing their home,” said Keefer. “For too long, Pennsylvania has relied on a broken property tax system that unfairly burdens seniors, working families and homeowners. Our legislation is designed to fix that by replacing it with a modern, sustainable approach.”
The plan would:
- Replace school property taxes with a 1.88% increase in the Personal Income Tax and a 2% increase in the Sales and Use Tax.
- Direct $300 million in new funding to Philadelphia schools in the first year.
- Remove caps on school district reserves to promote budget flexibility.
- Lower mortgage escrow payments to boost housing affordability.
- Require landlords to pass on tax savings to tenants for one year.
- Spur economic growth and help retain young workers and families.
- Incentivize blight reduction and community revitalization.
- Provide more funding than proposed COLAs for educators.
Fink emphasized the broad, long-term impact of the bill: “This legislation is about fairness, sustainability and making Pennsylvania a place where families can thrive without the constant threat of being taxed out of their homes.”
Property Tax Elimination Town Halls
To ensure Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to learn more and offer feedback, Sen. Keefer and Rep. Fink will host a series of Property Tax Elimination Town Halls across the state, alongside other lawmakers and community leaders.
Scheduled town halls include:
- August 20, 2 p.m. – Beech Mountain Lakes, 1 Burke Drive, Drums
- August 20, 6 p.m. – Sweet Valley Church of Christ, 5439 Main Road, Sweet Valley
- September 15, 7 p.m. – 960 Plaza Drive, Montoursville
- October 14, 10 a.m. – Hazle Township Commons Building, 101 W 27th Street, Hazle Township
“These town halls are about having a real conversation with the people this bill is designed to help,” Keefer added. “We’re bringing the plan to communities across Pennsylvania to listen, answer questions and work together to finally eliminate property taxes for good.”
CONTACT: Crystal Patterson, 717-432-1730