Philly property tax relief bills moving in Harrisburg

Three pieces of legislation needed to provide property tax relief in Philadelphia have cleared a first hurdle in Harrisburg.

The Pennsylvania House Urban Affairs Committee approved the three bill package. One proposal would give city council the ability to consider age and financial need in offering property tax relief to long-term residents. Another would allow homeowners to pay property tax in monthly installments.

Council President Darrell Clarke says moving the bills out of committee is a start.

“When you look at some of these areas being able to enact the homestead [exemption] legislation and means-based gentrification legislation and potentially some deferral bill that could turn the tide into having something that is fair,” he said.

Councilman Bill Greenlee says he’s confident the full legislature will approve them next.

“Things are looking positive, it ain’t over until it’s over as with any legislative body, but from everything that I am hearing we feel this will pass and taxpayers will get some help,” said Greenlee.

The third bill would make it easier to put liens on properties outside Philadelphia when a delinquent property in the city has the same owner.