LittleTurner urges tax reform

Call comes in light of CASD budget that includes 8.4% tax hike

Amber Little-Turner, a candidate for the 74th District for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, said that the recent Coatesville Area School District budget has renewed her commitment to property tax reform.

The CASD school board recently passed a preliminary budget that includes an 8.4 percent tax increase on property owners in the district.

“As a homeowner in the City of Coatesville, I am dismayed by the school board’s preliminary budget,” Little-Turner said. “Our property taxes continually go up, and many homeowners, especially seniors, will have trouble staying in their own homes. This latest budget contains a very large increase.”

“That is why Harrisburg needs to renew its efforts to pass real property tax reform. If elected, I intend to make this a top priority.”

In 2017, the voters of Pennsylvania approved a referendum to allow for property tax reform to be initiated through legislation in the General Assembly. Since the referendum was passed, there has been no real progress on actual tax reform, Little-Turner said.

“The voter referendum was a big first step, but since then, there has been no progress and now is not the time for our legislators to rest on their laurels. We must act to help taxpayers, who are being burdened by ballooning property taxes.”

CASD has the highest tax rate of school districts in Chester County, and the proposed tax increase would just perpetuate this problem, Little-Turner said.

She said that the school board is also likely engaging in a bargaining strategy with the public that is unfair.

“An 8.4 percent increase is unsustainable and the board knows this,” LittleTurner said. “Their plan is to have the public negotiate against itself, so that when a smaller tax increase is finally approved, residents will feel like they have won something. But as a community, we should talk about the feasibility of any tax increase and what it means for our schools and our taxes because it is vitally important that we strike a balance between providing our schools and teachers with the resources they need for student success while ensuring our property taxes are affordable for families and seniors.”

Little-Turner, 33, is a Republican running to replace her former boss, state Rep. Harry Lewis Jr., who announced in late 2017 that he is not seeking re-election and will retire at the end of the current legislative term. She is a mother of four and has a student in enrolled in the Coatesville Area School District. She is running unopposed in the Republican primary election.

Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary for the 74th District Dan K. Williams, pastor of New Life in Christ Fellowship in Coatesville; Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell; and Frank Pryor, an East Fallowfield resident with a background working in government.

The 74th District includes Caln, Coatesville, Downingtown, East Caln, East Fallowfield, Modena, Parksburg, South Coatesville, Sadsbury and Valley.

Both primary elections will be held May 15; polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Harrisburg needs to renew its efforts to pass real property tax reform. If elected, I intend to make this a top priority.” — Amber Little-Turner

Amber Little-Turner