Posted on 10/14/2005 4:42:50 AM PDT by Tribune7
This question - whether you realize it or not - is being bandied about in all four corners of the state and in the halls of our very own Capitol. And how it's eventually answered could have a significant impact on your life, especially if you're among the 5.1 rnlllion Pennsylvanians who live in a township.
Why? Because a handful of special interests, some of whom have no particular ties to the commonwealth, contend that Pennsylvania would be much better off without its smaller, local governments.
(Excerpt) Read more at zwire.com ...
It's a real bad idea.
Harrisburg scheming ping
Make Philly into 100 townships of 15,000 people each. It would weaken the machine and compartmentalize the corruption.
The state government is way too big.
PA County governments are the worst in the nation. Corruption, Nepotism, inefficiency, and waste are common. They also control property taxes which they use to keep the money flowing in to fuel this. My property taxes went up 21% in 2005 and will go up 22% in 2006
Sounds like Rendell crap!
BTW, two judges' retentions are on the ballot this coming election. The very judges who permitted the illegal pay raise.
I say we ship Fast Eddie Rendell back to New York where he came from. It disgusted me how when he ran for governor he bragged about cutting the wage tax in philly drastically when in reality it was only small pennies saved in my pay check. My tax cut came when I moved to Montgomery County Pa. Not only did I save in taxe, I got more bang for my buck in my property taxes with trash pickup, street cleaning, and snow removal. Also - when I call the township building, I dont get attitude on the phone "no no no baby you need to call 215 444 7765" like I did with Philadelphia City Hall.
Anyway - enough of my ramblings. Get rid of Rendell to start.
Is bigger government better? The Bush administration seems to think so.
Is bigger government better? The Bush administration seems to think so.
I'm from Luzerne County and your lucky if anyone answers the phone at the courthouse. In this county the govenment is so brilliant they sent out tax bills with the taxpayers social security number on the outside of the envelope under your name. We just had a reassessment and I was sent mine in the mail. They said I had no basement but I have 4 basement windows. Do we want more county govenment.
Where is our property tax reform Redell promised??
Thanks for posting this. My husband is a 25 year (up for re-election - - unopposed) township supervisor in the Poconos. Our annual township taxes are under $50 and have been there or lower over those 25 years.
Most of the township's budget comes from real estate transfer taxes - - which have been great, and have been used to upgrade the township's aging equipment.
Thanks. That didn't even occur to me they would be on the ballot.
Let's work hard to vote them out.
These guys (and the entire PA government) need to be sent a message!
Let's send them back to the private sector!
When-in-doubt-vote-no-on-retention bump
Three of our town council members are suing three other council members over a meeting they weren't invited to. Of course, we taxpayers are paying for all the litigation.
It makes me nuts.
Depends on what you mean by "bigger government."
Does it mean more public road repair crews?
Does it mean more public state parks, conservation and park rangers?
Does it mean more police and/or state troopers guarding the citizens.
More national guard troops?
PA County governments are the worst in the nation. Corruption, Nepotism, inefficiency, and waste are common. They also control property taxes which they use to keep the money flowing in to fuel this. My property taxes went up 21% in 2005 and will go up 22% in 2006
We get more of the same in centralized governmnet, at least this way it is spread out a little, concentrating makes it a BIG pile of manure
The Township of Fox Chase is ready and waiting! We might even consider merging with Rockledge.
This has been floated before.
More practical would be letting NE and NW and parts of West Philly break away and break-up, since they have enough tax based to go it alone, and let Center City and the Port carry North and South Philly and inner West Philly.
What might make sense out in suburbia is consolidating some small boroughs - not townships! - especially in Delaware and Allegheny Counties - together with surrounding townships as they are already consolidated in their school districts and reciprocal police coverage. Does Chester Township really serve any purpose being seperate from Chester? Or Aldan Borough and Millbourne Borough from Upper Darby? Narberth from Lower Merion? Malvern from Willistown Township? South Coatesville and Modena from Coatesville?
Here in Bucks County, it is the local townships or boroughs which have control over 90-percent of the property taxes. The townships/boroughs have direct control over whether those taxes go up or down by adjusting the millage.
The county controls a small portion portion of the property taxes, usually around 10 percent.
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