Legislators Discuss Taxes, More
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
News Director
WESB/WBRR
Taxes was one of the main topics of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce inaugural legislative luncheon held Friday at the Abasso at The Downbeat.
State Representative Marty Causer, one of more than half a dozen legislators and/or their aides who attended, said he knew gasoline taxes would be one of the questions posed by people at the event.
He said the current tax is about 31 cents a gallon, and that money goes toward highway and bridge projects. He explained that if the gas tax was cut, the state would have to come up with another source to pay for those projects.
Causer added that Pennsylvania is one of the few states that uses the gas tax for highway and bridge projects without using general tax money.
Another question concerned a state House bill that calls for providing money to municipalities that have a large number of tax-exempt properties.
Bradford Mayor Tom Riel explained that the bill calls for helping municipalities where 17 percent of the tax base is exempt. In Bradford, about 34 percent is exempt, he said.
He explained that schools, some churches, group homes and parks are among the properties that are exempt from taxes.
Causer explained that money would come from the Johnstown Flood Tax, and the bill should be considered by the full House soon.
Riel and township supervisors Don Cummins and Cary Kaber were asked what they think of the proposal to upgrade the sanitary sewer system.
Cummins, of Bradford Township, says he believes the proposed upgrade isn't the right answer.
"If they (the sanitary authority) have that amount of money that they're talking about spending – in excess of 28, 29, 30 million dollars – our suggestion was to give the municipalities some of that money to work on their own conveyance systems to eliminate the purges that happen periodically in the townships and the city," Cummins said.
Kaber of Foster Township, and Riel agree and added that residents can't afford increases in their sewer bills.
Another topic was the proposal to put tolls on Interstate 80.
Neither Causer nor representatives for Congressman John Peterson and State Senator Joe Scarnati see that plan coming to fruition.
Currently, Governor Ed Rendell is pushing his original plan to lease the turnpike.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Scarnati will be at WESB/WBRR later this month to talk about a new transportation funding plan.
Another question asked of Riel concerned parking meters in downtown Bradford.
Riel reminded people that he is, and has been, in favor of removing the meters but when city council called a work session on the matter none of the downtown business owners showed up to help come up with a solution.
But, he said, if the meters are there, the parking ordinance must be enforced.
"For now," he said, "I guess the meters are staying unless you're on a street where 'Little Chicago' is being filmed."
Also attending Friday's luncheon were McKean County Commissioner Joe DeMott; Joe Fadden, representative for Peterson; Chuck Dillon, representative for Scarnati; Bradford City Councilman Rick Benton, who moderated the event; and Councilman Bob Onuffer.
News Director
WESB/WBRR
Taxes was one of the main topics of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce inaugural legislative luncheon held Friday at the Abasso at The Downbeat.
State Representative Marty Causer, one of more than half a dozen legislators and/or their aides who attended, said he knew gasoline taxes would be one of the questions posed by people at the event.
He said the current tax is about 31 cents a gallon, and that money goes toward highway and bridge projects. He explained that if the gas tax was cut, the state would have to come up with another source to pay for those projects.
Causer added that Pennsylvania is one of the few states that uses the gas tax for highway and bridge projects without using general tax money.
Another question concerned a state House bill that calls for providing money to municipalities that have a large number of tax-exempt properties.
Bradford Mayor Tom Riel explained that the bill calls for helping municipalities where 17 percent of the tax base is exempt. In Bradford, about 34 percent is exempt, he said.
He explained that schools, some churches, group homes and parks are among the properties that are exempt from taxes.
Causer explained that money would come from the Johnstown Flood Tax, and the bill should be considered by the full House soon.
Riel and township supervisors Don Cummins and Cary Kaber were asked what they think of the proposal to upgrade the sanitary sewer system.
Cummins, of Bradford Township, says he believes the proposed upgrade isn't the right answer.
"If they (the sanitary authority) have that amount of money that they're talking about spending – in excess of 28, 29, 30 million dollars – our suggestion was to give the municipalities some of that money to work on their own conveyance systems to eliminate the purges that happen periodically in the townships and the city," Cummins said.
Kaber of Foster Township, and Riel agree and added that residents can't afford increases in their sewer bills.
Another topic was the proposal to put tolls on Interstate 80.
Neither Causer nor representatives for Congressman John Peterson and State Senator Joe Scarnati see that plan coming to fruition.
Currently, Governor Ed Rendell is pushing his original plan to lease the turnpike.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Scarnati will be at WESB/WBRR later this month to talk about a new transportation funding plan.
Another question asked of Riel concerned parking meters in downtown Bradford.
Riel reminded people that he is, and has been, in favor of removing the meters but when city council called a work session on the matter none of the downtown business owners showed up to help come up with a solution.
But, he said, if the meters are there, the parking ordinance must be enforced.
"For now," he said, "I guess the meters are staying unless you're on a street where 'Little Chicago' is being filmed."
Also attending Friday's luncheon were McKean County Commissioner Joe DeMott; Joe Fadden, representative for Peterson; Chuck Dillon, representative for Scarnati; Bradford City Councilman Rick Benton, who moderated the event; and Councilman Bob Onuffer.
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