Senate Approves Two More Property Tax Bills for Philly

The Pennsylvania state Senate passed two more bills Wednesday that were part of a package introduced earlier this year to alleviate the impact of Philadelphia's property tax system overhaul.

One bill would allow the city to set up monthly payment programs for certain homeowners, a move that especially could aid the large number of Philadelphians who do not have mortgages and must pay their taxes all at once.

That bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike McGeehan, was amended and needs a separate House vote before it can go to Gov. Corbett for his signature.

Another bill allows the city to place liens on any property in the state owned by tax delinquents. The city long has struggled with tax delinquency, and this bill would give the Nutter administration another tool to force payment from out-of-town speculators and landlords.

That bill, sponsored by Rep. Cherelle Parker, the chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, now goes to the governor.

Both bills passed the Senate 50-0.

Parker led an effort earlier this year to introduce four bills in the midst of Philadelphia's tax overhaul. A third bill involving a certain kind of tax relief to longtime homeowners passed the Senate on Tuesday and awaits the governor's signature.

The only bill that did not move was a Constitutional amendment – a high legislative hurdle – that would have allowed the city to tax commercial and residential properties at different rates. Many big cities tax commercial properties at a higher rate, but Pennsylvania's constitution forbids it.

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