On March 23, Pennsylvania House Democrats killed property tax elimination — again. When Republican Rep. Mark Gillen offered an amendment to HB 1257 that would have begun eliminating property taxes, House Democrats used a procedural maneuver to declare it unconstitutional and avoid a straight up-or-down vote.

The roll call tells the story: 99 Yeas, 100 Nays, split exactly along party lines. Rep. Solomon and every House Democrat voted to block it. When Rep. Jonathan Fritz rose to speak in favor of the amendment, the acting speaker cut him off mid-speech.

This is not new. Pennsylvanians have been promised property tax relief for over a decade, and every time it comes close, Harrisburg finds a way to kill it. Senate Bill 76 passed the Senate only to be vetoed by the lieutenant governor’s tie-breaking vote in 2015.

In 2017, voters approved a constitutional referendum supporting property tax elimination by 54% to 46% — and the legislature ignored them. Working groups were formed and abandoned. Bills are introduced every session and left to die in committee.

Meanwhile, over 10,000 Pennsylvania homes are seized annually for failure to pay property taxes. Seniors on fixed incomes are forced to choose between medication and keeping a roof over their heads. Families who have owned their homes for generations are being taxed out of them.

To every House Democrat who voted no: the people spoke in 2017. You refused to listen. We will remember in November.

Terry L. Figart, Altoona

Blair County Republican Committee 14-2