Pennsylvania Voters Could Eliminate Property Taxes

A measure on the Pennsylvania statewide ballot in next Tuesday's election would change the state's constitution to allow local jurisdictions the ability to eliminate property taxes.

1 minute read

November 2, 2017, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Pennsylvania

George Sheldon / Shutterstock

A complex, but potentially explosive measure on next Tuesday's ballot in Pennsylvania would allow school districts and local governments to exempt up to 100 percent of an area’s median home value from property taxes. Right now, local jurisdictions are allowed to exempt 50 percent of the area median home value.

There's a catch, however, and it's an important one: "The elimination can’t happen until there’s a replacement source of revenue — either from the state or local level," according to Katie Meyer. The most likely replacements would be sales and income taxes.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017 in WHYY

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A Firefighter sprays water from a hose at a tall blaze.

US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060

Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People cross a crosswalk in Los Angeles.

LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.

7 hours ago - ABC7

Two women walking on the sidewalk in Dallas.

Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code

The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.

November 4 - Yahoo News