"The time is now to vigorously show the Harrisburg politicians how we feel about school property tax elimination," says David Baldinger, administrator of the
Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition.
A rally is planned for
Monday, June 2, in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to support House Bill 1275, the School Property Tax Elimination Act, the legislation that is endorsed by the PTCC and the 26-member groups of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Taxpayer Associations.
Taxpayers who are fed up with rising property taxes are invited to take part in the rally from 11 a.m. to noon.
The timing of this rally is designed to coincide with the budget debate that will be in progress, ensuring that all members of the General Assembly will be in Harrisburg to receive the message, Baldinger says.
While the agenda has not yet been finalized, Baldinger expects that a large number of current lawmakers and candidates will be in attendance along with community, business, school leaders and taxpayer advocates.
Following the rally, the PTCC and
FreedomWorks will be issuing an "Honor Roll" listing all lawmakers, candidates and community leaders who show their support for school property tax elimination by attending the rally.
"The purpose of the rally is to do our best to send a very strong message to the legislature that we are tired of their procrastination and expect action to eliminate school property taxes NOW," Baldinger says. "This is a major event and a large turnout of supporters will help to focus media attention on this issue and increase public awareness and support."
The PTCC is looking for volunteers to spread the word about the rally, organize folks in their area and arrange transportation to Harrisburg.
"This is a one-time event that is very important, so if you're willing to help please try to find as many folks as possible to attend - use carpools, limo buses, full-sized buses, any way possible to get people to the rally" Baldinger says.
The PTCC is already busy organizing a bus trip to the Capitol for Berks County residents. The approximate cost is $20 per person.
If you're interested in joining this trip for the rally, send an e-mail by May 11 to taxrally@mail.com with your name, address and telephone number.
If enough people respond by May 11 to fill a charter bus, Baldinger says he will send interested persons a return e-mail with the details of the trip and method of payment.
It's bad enough that Jimmy Carter, John F. Kerry, Michael Moore and Hanoi Jane Fonda have endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president. Now we have the leader of the terrorist group Hammas rooting for Obama to win the White House.
You have to give state Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks, credit for persistence. He's been trying for years to get his plan to eliminate property taxes passed by the Pennsylvania House.
