Gov. Corbett Vetoes Moratorium Bill

Gov. Tom Corbett vetoed a bill Friday that would have imposed a temporary moratorium on countywide property tax reassessments in Washington County.

State Rep. Jesse White, who represents a portion of Washington County, blasted Corbett on Friday for blocking what he called "the first real step toward accomplishing significant property reassessment reform in decades."

White said the legislation, introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone, would have not only imposed a temporary moratorium on countywide property tax reassessments in Washington County but would have saved taxpayers the estimated $8 million dollars for a court-ordered reassessment process due to begin this month.

"Originally, the bill would have implemented a statewide moratorium on property reassessments, but the Senate amended it to only include Washington County," White explained. "The Senate's changes are the prime reason the governor vetoed this legislation, and I am extremely disappointed by both the governor's and Senate's actions.

But he said he is undaunted.

"While this is a setback, I have not given up," White said.  "I previously introduced my own statewide moratorium bill in January—House Bill 166—and when the legislature reconvenes in September I'll be pushing that bill so that we can continue reforming the flawed system and protect homeowners from dramatic property tax increases."

House Bill 1696 is part of a three-bill package spearheaded by White that passed the legislature last month to reform the state's flawed method of reassessing property values. Under the other two bills introduced by White and state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, two statewide task forces will study and make recommendations to improve the reassessment process.

"Despite the Senate’s action and governor’s veto of the moratorium, Representative Neuman and I will be working with the two task forces over the summer and fall to come up with a plan for comprehensive reassessment reform by the end of the year," White said. "We need to work together and remember that the ultimate goal is to develop a reassessment system that it is both efficient and cost-effective for taxpayers."

But other officials lauded Corbett's decision.

"I lobbied the state legislature to pass a moratorium for all counties," said , the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive said Friday.

"I think the governor did the right thing. All counties need a moratorium," he said. "It's nothing against Washington County. The residents there should get a moratorium, but so should all the other residents in Pennsylvania."  

Fitzgerald is a previous Allegheny County Council president who served for 12 years before stepping down in March to run for county executive. 

A call to Corbett's press office was not immediately returned. Neuman could not be reached for comment.