Politics & Government

Governor Vetoes Assessment Moratorium

Gov. Tom Corbett said bill exempting Washington County could not uphold a legal challenge.

Gov. Tom Corbett vetoed a measure that  on its property reassessments.

The governor said he vetoed the legislation because he did not think it would uphold a legal challenge. Allegheny County officials threatened legal action because they were not given a similar moratorium.

The original wording granted a moratorium for all counties in the state, .

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"I lobbied the state legislature to pass a moratorium for all counties," said Rich Fitzgerald, the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive said Friday. "I think the governor did the right thing. All counties need a moratorium," he said. "It's nothing against Washington County. The residents there should get a moratorium, but so should all the other residents in Pennsylvania."  

But not everyone is happy with the governor’s decision.

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State Rep. Jesse White on Friday blasted him for blocking what he called "the first real step toward accomplishing significant property reassessment reform in decades."

White said the legislation, introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone, would have imposed a temporary moratorium on countywide property tax reassessments in Washington County and saved taxpayers the estimated $8 million dollars for a court-ordered reassessment process due to begin this month.

"The Senate's changes are the prime reason the governor vetoed this legislation, and I am extremely disappointed by both the governor's and Senate's actions.

But he said he is undaunted.

House Bill 1696 is part of a three-bill package spearheaded by White that passed the legislature last month to reform the state's flawed method of reassessing property values. Under the other two bills introduced by White and state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, two statewide task forces will study and make recommendations to improve the reassessment process.

"We need to work together and remember that the ultimate goal is to develop a reassessment system that it is both efficient and cost-effective for taxpayers,” White said.


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