The Reading Eagle published my letter to the Editor today regarding the Reading School Board of Directors’
increase of the Reading
School District
The Eagle had recently reported a study by the Berks County Planning
Commission that school real estate taxes are higher in Berks County than in
every neighboring county, which I believe explains why Berks has been the lead
county, through its bipartisan legislators, to advocate for the elimination of
school real estate taxes and replacement with an increase and broadening of
sales taxes. The article reminded me of Reading ’s tax
increase.
My letter
was in direct response to the report in the Eagle
in June that minimized the effects of the School Board’s tax increase by
claiming the increase would only amount to about $10.00 for a home with the
median value in Reading
that receives the homestead exemption. I
noted most properties are not owner-occupied homes eligible for the exemption
and some that are do not receive it; most properties are either commercial or
are residential rental units.
Furthermore, I noted any increase in the millage increases the baseline
for future tax increases, like compounding interest. Tax increases are limited by Pennsylvania law to a
certain percentage, with exceptions. The
June report had stated the increase was the third in the last 15 years, which
was true, but misleading. The Reading
School Board raised the rate to the maximum amount—for the second time in the
last three years and third time in the last five.
The Eagle’s June report also misleadingly
compared Reading to other Berks County school districts by reporting Reading’s
school real estate taxes as the lowest in the county, without reporting that
Reading levies an additional one percent income tax to make the comparison more
accurate. In addition, I noted Reading residents pay higher municipal taxes (the City and
School District are coterminous) than those of other county municipalities,
meaning the overall tax burden is higher for those that reside in Reading
In the
letter, I observe the effects of a tax increase on businesses and the resultant
economic harm, as well as the decrease in property values because of the
increase in the cost of ownership, which, in turn, leads to lower property
assessments and less taxable revenue—a point of diminishing return.
I had to
address multiple points and squeeze some advanced tax theory into only 200
words, but am grateful to have the opportunity with this forum to expound a
little.
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