by Inquirer Staff
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Models for fixing the BRTThe steps aren't hard, advocates say, and other places have pointed a way. But does Phila. have the political will?
By Patrick Kerkstra, Anthony Wood, Mark Fazlollah, and Joseph Tanfani
Inquirer Staff Writers
It's no mystery what Philadelphia's property-tax system ought to be built on: realistic assessments, an ethical and competent staff, and an end to backroom deals for property owners with pull.
It is a formula that cities, counties, and states across the country figured out long ago. In Seattle, in Maryland, in Chicago, and in many other places, the setting of accurate property values has been a basic and unremarkable government function for decades.
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by Jennifer Miller
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Developer for The Flats worries candidates
COATESVILLE - Some City Council candidates say they have concerns with a developer looking to buy a key piece of city land.
The company was formed less than a year ago and has no projects under construction elsewhere, and one of its partners was disbarred in 2003, they say.
Mosaic Development Partners, a newly formed Philadelphia company, reached an agreement with the city's Redevelopment Authority last month to build on the southern portion of what is known locally as The Flats - 26 contaminated acres north of West Lincoln Highway and west of Route 82 along the east bank of the Brandywine Creek.
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by John Roman
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Tax relief in sight for property owners
Pennsylvania's broad-based property tax relief program implemented under Act 1 of 2006 will provide $613 million in school property tax relief this year. Combined with the expansion of the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, total state-funded property tax relief will reach $770 million next year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This year's school property tax reductions per property owner will range from $132 for 9,338 homesteads in the Marple Newtown School District to $641 for 4,293 homesteads in the impoverished Chester Upland School District. Chester Upland's total reduction allocation is $2.75 million. More... |
