Under Article VIII, Section 2 (b)(v) of the Pennsylvania Constitution, local taxing authorities in counties of the first and second class may provide property tax relief to longtime owner-occupants who live in areas where real property values have risen markedly because of refurbishing or renovating deteriorating residences and the construction of new residences.

I will be introducing a constitutional amendment to authorize that tax benefit to be available to longtime owner-occupants across the Commonwealth, not just those in Allegheny County and Philadelphia. 

Further, this provision prohibits a local taxing authority from increasing the millage rate of its tax on real property to pay for these benefits.

Please join me in supporting this important constitutional amendment.