Taxed beyond relief (School and Property Taxes in PA/NJ)

The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | October 4th, 2005 | Rita Giordano

[2banana]

Dear Rita Giordano,

Funny how you don't mention where any of that tax money is going. The majority of property taxes are school taxes.

1. 2/3 of any school budget goes to teacher and administrator salaries and benefits. In the area I live, many teachers' are making close to $100,000/year for 180 days of work plus some of the best benefits in the country (salaries are even higher in some of the area you reported on). They pay nothing for health care and have pensions unheard of in the private sector.

2. The Teacher's Union. Whenever a district tries to at least hold the line on teacher's salaries or benefits, they are faced with a strike at the beginning of the school year. The teacher's know that they will not be replaced and that pressure from parent's work schedules will eventually bring the district to settle in their favor.

3. I am sorry that seniors are being forced out of their housing due to high taxes. Have they voted for candidates for lower taxes? Have they run themselves? Have they promoted any kind of alternatives? Have they done anything except suggest that someone else should pay for their share?

The basic equation is that outrageous pay and benefits (unseen in the private sector) for teachers and administrators backed by a powerful union and a state monopoly are forcing the higher taxes. This, in turn, is forcing seniors and working class families (especially with children) out of their homes.

Regards,

2banana

[Fudd]

It is my understanding that in PA, school districts can (and often do) raise property taxes without voter approval. I won't live in such an environment.

[cynicom]

Shame on those people, not wanting to do what has to be done for the "children". We have to have those huge marvelous buildings and we need quality help, so 100k a year is well worth it.

Terrible people, wanting to keep their own money, how horrible.

[hipaatwo]

I hope this is one more nail in the coffin for Rendell.

[1Old Pro]

Only 21 percent of American workers have traditional pensions, so many boomers will have to finance largely on their own what's expected to be unprecedented longevity. "I think you've got a huge problem out there with individuals who have been handed the keys to their retirement future without an owner's manual," VanDerhei said. Many boomers had children later and will be paying college costs at a time when past generations saved for retirement. Many will help pay for the care of their longer-living parents.

I AGREE 110% that taxes are rising TOO quickly. I also know that boomers are not saving and the "retirement" squeeze will effect them greatly.

[Huck]

Funny how you don't mention where any of that tax money is going.

Thank you. I skimmed the whole piece looking for just that. Assessors are coming over tonight to reassess my place (Sussex Cty, NJ.) We've been knocking down their school referendums like bowling pins. It looks like it's coming up for yet ANOTHER vote. We keep rejecting their requests for more money. hell, I don't even have kids.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I used to call on a buyer in Valley Forge, PA, who told me he also pays a payroll tax to Phily.

[Arthalion]

Sounds like they need to take a close look at California's Prop 13. That 1% yearly property tax cap is one of the few reasons why I still live in this state. The day the libbies succed in overturning it is the day I move out of this state forever.

[Wiseghy]

Sounds like they could use a CA style Prop. 13 out there.

This is a good example of what happens when government has no restraints on tax increases.

How can you really "own" something if you must pay taxes on it? Aren't you really just "leasing" it from the gov.?

[Graybeard58]

I AGREE 110% that taxes are rising TOO quickly

I guess I'm lucky, I have lived in my present home for 13 years and my taxes have gone up about 10% total.

[VeniVidiVici]

Both sons said they would pay the taxes if they could. Rich, a computer programmer, recently had a big property tax hike. He ate sandwiches for a while and got a raise. He knows his father isn't getting any raises.

And..AND?? So they aren't going to pay? Sounds to me that between three families they can cut back enough to pay for mom and dad to stay in Jersey.

I feel sorry for anyone who has to put-up with that tax system that raises your property taxes to match what your property supposedly appreciates year-after-year. What a scam.

[Erik Latranyi]

My wife is a former elementary school teacher. We recently received a piece of mail from the Dems and Rendell touting the increases in education spending so Pennsylvania can have a world-class workforce.

My reaction is that Pennsylvania is 49th in job creation during this latest recovery. What do Democrats do? Raise taxes (income and property), increase education spending so Pennsylvania children can leave the state and work elsewhere.

They think businesses move to areas where the schools are good. I know that it is way down on the priority list. Businesses have no problem importing and relocating workers.

A home-grown educated workforce is not needed.

[Mo1]

At least half of AARP's 1.3 million New Jersey members are on fixed incomes that have not kept up with tax increases, according to state president Marilyn Askin

Why do they always say that??

As though folks under 65 have extra money hanging around??

[Coleus]

We have one of the largest amt. of workers on the public payroll than any other state, 575 municipalities and over 600 school districts each with their own payroll in one of the smallest states , billions in debt, pension plans that were underfunded funded for 7 years, etc. it's just snowballing.

[Michael Barnes]

I could have sworn Rendell promised he was gonna lower or eleminate property taxes when he was running for governer? Oh, yeah, my bad, a lying politician. Oh wait, wasn't the creation of slots suppsed to surplant some of the costs of gov't? No you say? ah, right.

The one I love is the PA Lottery "benefitting our seniors" (*cough*cough*)

[Mo1]

1. 2/3 of any school budget goes to teacher and administrator salaries and benefits. In the area I live, many teachers' are making close to $100,000/year for 180 days of work plus some of the best benefits in the country (salaries are even higher in some of the area you reported on). They pay nothing for health care and have pensions unheard of in the private sector.

Sounds like the school district I live in

The teachers unions get everything they want ... including the kitchen sink

[Mo1]

I could have sworn Rendell promised he was gonna lower or eleminate property taxes when he was running for governer? Oh, yeah, my bad, a lying politician. Oh wait, wasn't the creation of slots suppsed to surplant some of the costs of gov't? No you say? ah, right.
The one I love is the PA Lottery "benefitting our seniors" (*cough*cough*)

And if I recall ... shortly after Rendell left as Philly's Mayor .. the State had to come in and take over the city's school system because it was in such bad shape

[Fury]

Ping for further read

[Michael Barnes]

Your kidding right? I don't remember hearing that..Not that I doubt you, it's par for the course with PA Dem's. Hell, just take a look at Pittsburgh..

I haven't lived in Allegheny in a few years; do they still have that "fee"(tax) just to work in the county? I think I heard on kdka a while back that it was upped recently?

[Graymatter]

I was paying $20,000 a year in property taxes on two houses in NJ. Now I pay $400 a year for one house in PA. Nice big house with a yard, and better neighbors. Crime rate almost nil, and gun ownership is legal and normal.
Some folks just need to know they don't have to live in a particular place. I miss Jersey sometimes but I'm glad I left. There are better things to do with $19,600 than give it to the government.