Can someone help me re: taxes in PA, and in Allegheny County?

[OneGrassRoot]

I haven't lived in PA for years, but still have family there. I know the taxes are very high up there but I don't know how it breaks down.

My family has become Republican from being apolitical. And, it's all because of taxes, and they blame Dems.

Since they only watch Fox now, they are convinced Obama will raise their taxes 76%! (No, they don't come close to making $250k.)

They are also of the mindset that their tax dollars are going into the hands of those who refuse to work and they are "tired of paying for everyone else."

Can you help me with ANY information to refute their views as it specifically applies to their area and tax rates? Why are the taxes so high and what are they getting for it that other areas don't? Maybe it's VERY local, maybe their taxes are so high because of the school distract (West Jefferson Hills).

Thanks in advance! :)

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Also, don't you guys have some sort of state-sponsored health...

plan for children? Doesn't PA lead in that area for the WIC programs and such?

[JPZenger]

2. PA Taxes

I wouldn't expect the Presidential race to have too much of an effect upon school taxes, because the Feds historically have provided a small percentage of school funding. School property taxes are the main complaint in PA. That is an issue for the State Legislature.

This year, owner-occupants in PA outside of Phila. received a direct reduction in property taxes, from slots revenues. Phila is supposed to have a wage tax reduction, if they ever get around to actually letting anyone build.

Obama is committed to not raise taxes on persons earning less than $250K a year. He proposes to restore the tax rates on high incomes that were in place during the Clinton years. Those dollars are primarily needed to fund subsidies so additional people can afford health insurance. Yes, PA. is a a leader in providing health insurance to children.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Thank you! The Southwest area seems rather unique...

insofar as there is an abundance of municipalities and townships which lead to more overhead and thus make the property taxes extraordinarily high in some areas. That's what I gleaned from the little bit of nonpartisan information I could find this morning.

Thanks again. :)

[Number9Dream]

4. Link to chart - Obama vs McSame tax proposals

Here's a link to an excellent chart comparing Obama's and McSame's tax proposals vs family income:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

Print it and show it to them.

As far as local school taxes are concerned, that's Harrisburg's fault. Remember the OPTIONAL Homestead Exemption, and OPTIONAL Act 73? The State Legislature is ~50-50 Dems / repukes. If they think their taxes are high, tell them they should be glad that they don't live in the Lehigh Valley, with our Taj Mahal schools.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Thanks! n/t

[happyslug]

6. Have you looked at the County Tax Records, They on line

Plug in the address and you will see the tax assessment:
http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Search.asp

Taxes in Allegheny County are NOT that high, more school taxes then local taxes.

You can also tell them the Welfare rates in Pa has NOT increased since 1982, it is only $206 a MONTH in Allegheny County (and then only for two months in a two year period, unless the person is aiding for SSA to determined that person is disable under SSA regulation, then only till SSA makes that ruling then the person is off the Roles OR on SS).

As to Transitionally Aid to Needy Families) formerly "Aid for Dependent Children", tell them that under Federal Law, the State pays 50% the Federal government pays 50%, but Pa has been so cheap the rates has not increased since 1982 and stuck at $206 a month plus %86 for each child (And to get Transitionally Aid to Needy Families a child under 18 MUST live in the house, the parents MUST sign up for work-fare or other plan to get off welfare). Also tell them the FEDERAL limit for such welfare is $638 a month for one person, but to avoid having to pay 1/2 of that the State limits itself in Allegheny Count to $206 a month for one person.

Further tell him the biggest increase in Welfare costs over the last 40 years has been medical costs, and most of that being care for the aged in nursing homes. Basically no one can afford such care for any length of time, and Medicare does NOT pay for it. Thus Nursing home care is paid for by the State. The state requires anyone in a nursing home to spend their own money first, and even puts a lien on that person's home for the care. Only after the liens exceeds the value of the home does Welfare step in and pay for the care. Remember we are talking about people who need 24 hour care, and can NOT work. Someone has to pay for that care, and that is the State through the Department of Public Welfare.

As to the criminal element, I went to a function with some criminal attorneys, and they joked about the crime wave of the late 1980s and early 1990s when the above restrictions as to welfare was adopted. All it lead to was increase number of small time criminal behavior by the people forced off welfare. In affect when the welfare reform was adopted crime went up. The cost of the Crime ended to be 4-5 times the cost of the welfare, so looking back it was cheaper from a taxpayers point of view to keep them on welfare then to go into crime. The crime rate fell afterward as the country entered a period of full employment under Clinton in the late 1990s but the increase crime has come back since Bush became President and the days of Full Employment AND an economy going full blast became a thing of the past.

Very little state money goes into Welfare (except for Medical care). The reason for that is the Welfare Grant is so small it is a joke.