Pennsylvania School Reform 

The public school system in Pennsylvania, like many other states has been taking a hit for some time now. The amount of money needed to run the public school system was significant, and has only been getting worse. Then you compile upon that the fact that the state used to give 50% of their money and now they only give 35% - you are asking for a system that just cannot support itself.  

The schools turned to the property owners and asked them to support them instead. The property owners are now paying high taxes to support the schools, and for much of the state, this is a real hardship. Governor Rendell proposed that they bring in slot machines to the racetracks, and bring in slot machine casinos as well – for this would add much needed revenue to the state, and much needed relief for property owners. 

The slot machines are expected to bring in $3 billion a year in profit, with one third of that going to property tax relief in the school districts. The school districts then have to reduce their property tax to match the amount they are getting from the slot machine revenue. Since PA believes in a flat tax, not all property owners would see equal relief. The population, the income, etc. vary from district to district, but the average amount of relief per family would be on average $250. 

However, those with lower assessments would get less, and those with higher assessments would get more. On average, the ones with the lower assessments could probably use the money more than those rating higher. What is important to note, is that many of them who are playing the game, are the ones who can least afford to play. Statistics show that those that are in the lower income brackets are those that need the relief the most – and yet they will also be the ones playing the slot machines looking for a quick fix to their income problems.

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