JULY 14, 2016 - Governor Tom Wolf has signed into law a 67-percent increase of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for state forest and park lands. It’s contained in Fiscal Code amendments passed by the legislature as part of the 2016-17 budget approval.
JULY 5, 2016 - Pennsylvania's legislature moved forward last week with a 66.6% increase in the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes for state forest and park land. School districts, counties and municipalities currently receiving $1.20 per acre annually would receive $2.00 per acre annually under the new formula (Pa. Game Commission and Fish & Boat Commission acreage would continue to yield the $1.20 per acre).
JUNE 24, 2016 - As negotiations continue on the 2016-17 state budget, the Pa. State Land Tax Fairness Coalition has been busy building support for its cause. Steering Committee members are meeting with leaders of the Pa. School Boards Assn. and the Pa. State Assn. of Township Supervisors. We’ve also recently made our case with the Pa. Assn. of Realtors and are seeking its support.
MAY 18, 2016 A widely circulated northcentral Pennsylvania newspaper recently spotlighted our coalition's campaign. Here's the article appearing in the May 14 edition of Endeavor News:
MAY 2, 2016 Members of the Pa. State Land Tax Fairness Coalition met via conference call on Friday, April 29. Listed below are some of the highlights and action items:
APRIL 13, 2016 - Coalition leaders are holding meetings with several members of the Pa. General Assembly this week, seeking some clarity on how to proceed. Among those who have agreed to meet with the coalition is Representative John Maher (left), chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
FEB. 22, 2016 Pennsylvania State Land Tax Fairness Coalition has added two more statewide organizations to its list of supporters. The Pennsylvania Landowners Association (PLA) and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association have both endorsed the coalition's campaign for higher payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) for tax-exempt state forest, park and game lands.
FEB. 1, 2016 An article detailing the Pa. State Land Tax Fairness Coalition mission appeared in the Jan. 29 edition of the Bradford Era. The daily newspaper circulates widely in many of the counties that host substantial state forest land. Era stories are often picked by Associated Press.
JAN. 14, 2016 Pennsylvania's budget stalemate has had a ripple effect across the state. It might appear that our campaign for higher payments-in-lieu-of-taxes for state forest, park and game lands is dormant. Such is not the case.
OCT. 27, 2015 Several influential members of the Senate and House remain supportive of the Pennsylvania State Land Tax Fairness Coalition's call to have payments-in-lieu-of-taxes on state-owned land increased. They recognize the inadequacy of the current law that pays school districts, counties and townships just $1.20 per acre for state forest, park and game lands.