Saturday, November 22, 2008
Morrisville Tomorrow
From the November 14, 2008 Morrisville Times. Anyone have more details on this?
Morrisville Opportunity Educational Foundation
From the BCCT.
The Morrisville Opportunity Educational Foundation needs YOU
Posted in News on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
After much work among its founding steering committee members, Morrisville new non-profit education foundation is finally taking wing.
The goal of the newly-named Morrisville Opportunity Educational Foundation is to form relationships with businesses and individuals who can financially help the district improve its education programs and infrastructure.
However, the committee still needs more interested participants to keep the promise of the organization alive, said Mark Coassolo at the school board’s recent Wednesday meeting.
“We’re looking for more people to be on the board of trustees,” he said. The young group is looking for corporate sponsorship, people in education, and any other interested parties to join the venture, Coassolo said.
If you are interested in joining the committee, being on the future board of trustees, or helping financially, or if you would like more information, contact Coassolo at 215-428-9657 or at markdc32@verizon.net.
Alternatively, call the district business office at 215-736-5933.
The Morrisville Opportunity Educational Foundation needs YOU
Posted in News on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
After much work among its founding steering committee members, Morrisville new non-profit education foundation is finally taking wing.
The goal of the newly-named Morrisville Opportunity Educational Foundation is to form relationships with businesses and individuals who can financially help the district improve its education programs and infrastructure.
However, the committee still needs more interested participants to keep the promise of the organization alive, said Mark Coassolo at the school board’s recent Wednesday meeting.
“We’re looking for more people to be on the board of trustees,” he said. The young group is looking for corporate sponsorship, people in education, and any other interested parties to join the venture, Coassolo said.
If you are interested in joining the committee, being on the future board of trustees, or helping financially, or if you would like more information, contact Coassolo at 215-428-9657 or at markdc32@verizon.net.
Alternatively, call the district business office at 215-736-5933.
Morrisville received a $500 grant
From the BCCT.
Thank you!
UPDATED November 24 to include link to mv.org.
Morrisville received a $500 grant.
Posted in News on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 4:58 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School recently received a $500 grant from Exxon-Mobil Corporation for its educational service to the community.
Priyanka Tewari, the president and proprietor of the Exxon gas station on West Trenton Avenue, presented a $500 check to Principal William Ferrara through the Exxon Educational Alliance Program. Tewari wrote that she chose the school “because it is an excellent facility known for its innovative spirit and a commitment to the educational advancement of its students.”
Article from mv.org:
Middle Senior High School Receives Exxon Mobil Grant
The Morrisville Middle Senior High School receives $500 grant/donation from Exxon-Mobil corp. for service to community.
As the proprietor of the Exxon, located at 299 W. Trenton Avenue in Morrisville I am pleased to donate $500 through the Exxon “Educational Alliance Program” to Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
According to an African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”. I believe the youth of our community need our support to realize their full potential so they can prosper and become functional and responsible adults. In these tough economic times it is imperative not to lose our philanthropic spirit and I hope other local businesses feel encouraged to support the endeavors of our educational institutions in shaping our future generations.
I selected Morrisville Middle/Senior High School because it is an excellent facility known for its innovative spirit and a commitment to the educational advancement of its students. It is an honor for me to donate these funds as a token of my gratitude and appreciation of the hard working community, which includes the parents of the students, teachers, and administrative staff at Morrisville Middle/Senior High School. I am thankful for their patronage and for making my family and I feel like members of a wonderful community. I look forward to serving everyone to the best of my abilities.
Priyanka Tewari
President
Thank you!
UPDATED November 24 to include link to mv.org.
Morrisville received a $500 grant.
Posted in News on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 4:58 pm by Courier Times reporter Manasee Wagh
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School recently received a $500 grant from Exxon-Mobil Corporation for its educational service to the community.
Priyanka Tewari, the president and proprietor of the Exxon gas station on West Trenton Avenue, presented a $500 check to Principal William Ferrara through the Exxon Educational Alliance Program. Tewari wrote that she chose the school “because it is an excellent facility known for its innovative spirit and a commitment to the educational advancement of its students.”
Article from mv.org:
Middle Senior High School Receives Exxon Mobil Grant
The Morrisville Middle Senior High School receives $500 grant/donation from Exxon-Mobil corp. for service to community.
As the proprietor of the Exxon, located at 299 W. Trenton Avenue in Morrisville I am pleased to donate $500 through the Exxon “Educational Alliance Program” to Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
According to an African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”. I believe the youth of our community need our support to realize their full potential so they can prosper and become functional and responsible adults. In these tough economic times it is imperative not to lose our philanthropic spirit and I hope other local businesses feel encouraged to support the endeavors of our educational institutions in shaping our future generations.
I selected Morrisville Middle/Senior High School because it is an excellent facility known for its innovative spirit and a commitment to the educational advancement of its students. It is an honor for me to donate these funds as a token of my gratitude and appreciation of the hard working community, which includes the parents of the students, teachers, and administrative staff at Morrisville Middle/Senior High School. I am thankful for their patronage and for making my family and I feel like members of a wonderful community. I look forward to serving everyone to the best of my abilities.
Priyanka Tewari
President
Friday, November 21, 2008
Nice Billboard!
Thanks for the emails. Be sure to check out the billboard on Bridge Street near the Elks when entering town from the Superhighway.
Does anyone have pictures?
Who is Morrisville Tomorrow?
Does anyone have pictures?
Who is Morrisville Tomorrow?
Civic illiteracy
From the BCCT, Cal Thomas' column. Here's the report he talks about and the quiz. I got 30 of 33 right. How did you do?
The other deficit: Civic illiteracy drags us down
While Congress spends — and plans to spend — like the proverbial drunken sailor to “bailout” various industries for practices that are largely their fault and the fault of those in Congress who were supposed to provide oversight, another deficit looms which is at least as troubling as the economic one.
For the third straight year, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) has found that a large number of Americans cannot pass a basic 33-question civic literacy test on their country’s history and institutions. The multiple-choice questions ask about the inalienable rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), the name of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 series of government programs (The New Deal) and the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial). No, I didn’t peek at the answers. I received a good education.
The random sample of 2,508 American adults, ranging from those without high school diplomas, to people with advanced degrees, revealed a minimal difference in civic literacy between the uneducated and the highly educated. Fifty-six percent of those surveyed could identify Paula Abdul as one of the judges on “American Idol,” but only 21 percent were able to recognize a phrase from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. I had to memorize that speech in high school. What are they memorizing now?
Not much of any use, it appears. Ignorance of America’s history and heritage is a setup for politicians and others who want to manipulate us into a way of thinking that allows them to make decisions that are unconstitutional and unwise. More than repeating phrases and figures, knowledge of the past prepares us for a future based on unchanging principles. That’s why knowledge matters and ignorance endangers our government and threatens our way of life even more than terrorism.
Civic illiteracy in the United States crosses all educational lines, including the vaunted Harvard where, according to the ISI survey, seniors scored 69.56 on the test, or a D-plus. And they were the best. The survey found that up to threefourths of Americans believe teaching America’s heritage is fundamental to a good education and to producing good citizens. So why is it not being done?
Part of it, I think, has to do with the continued embarrassment by the liberal education establishment over America and what it means to be an American. From their guilt about prosperity and our freedoms, to their opposition to “dead white males,” college professors, especially since the ‘60s, have favored the trendy and quaint over the established and proven.
Remarkably, a college degree does not increase civic knowledge. According to the report, “The average score among those who ended their formal education with a bachelor’s degree is 57 percent, or an ‘F’. That is only 13 percentage points higher than the average score among those who ended their formal education with a high school diploma. Only 24 percent know that the First Amendment prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States.” That’s pretty basic information, isn’t it? One might expect the Bill of Rights to be part of any class on government, even as early as elementary school.
Other findings: “Elected officials score lower than the general public,” which tells us all we need to know about Washington. “Television — including TV news — Dumbs America Down,” says ISI. In the midst of important hearings in Washington on the economy and a possible bailout for the big three automakers, one cable channel carried a story about a 44-year-old stripper who is suing for age discrimination.
ISI calls on everyone involved in education, including parents, to re-evaluate curricula and standards of accountability and to emphasize to students the fundamentals about our country. It notes Thomas Jefferson’s admonition: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free ... it expects what never was and never will be.”
Read the report at www.isi.org and weep. And then demand of yourself and others that something be done to fix the intellectual deficit.
Cal Thomas writes this column for Tribune Media Services. E-mail: tmseditors@tribune.com.
The other deficit: Civic illiteracy drags us down
While Congress spends — and plans to spend — like the proverbial drunken sailor to “bailout” various industries for practices that are largely their fault and the fault of those in Congress who were supposed to provide oversight, another deficit looms which is at least as troubling as the economic one.
For the third straight year, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) has found that a large number of Americans cannot pass a basic 33-question civic literacy test on their country’s history and institutions. The multiple-choice questions ask about the inalienable rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness), the name of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 series of government programs (The New Deal) and the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial). No, I didn’t peek at the answers. I received a good education.
The random sample of 2,508 American adults, ranging from those without high school diplomas, to people with advanced degrees, revealed a minimal difference in civic literacy between the uneducated and the highly educated. Fifty-six percent of those surveyed could identify Paula Abdul as one of the judges on “American Idol,” but only 21 percent were able to recognize a phrase from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. I had to memorize that speech in high school. What are they memorizing now?
Not much of any use, it appears. Ignorance of America’s history and heritage is a setup for politicians and others who want to manipulate us into a way of thinking that allows them to make decisions that are unconstitutional and unwise. More than repeating phrases and figures, knowledge of the past prepares us for a future based on unchanging principles. That’s why knowledge matters and ignorance endangers our government and threatens our way of life even more than terrorism.
Civic illiteracy in the United States crosses all educational lines, including the vaunted Harvard where, according to the ISI survey, seniors scored 69.56 on the test, or a D-plus. And they were the best. The survey found that up to threefourths of Americans believe teaching America’s heritage is fundamental to a good education and to producing good citizens. So why is it not being done?
Part of it, I think, has to do with the continued embarrassment by the liberal education establishment over America and what it means to be an American. From their guilt about prosperity and our freedoms, to their opposition to “dead white males,” college professors, especially since the ‘60s, have favored the trendy and quaint over the established and proven.
Remarkably, a college degree does not increase civic knowledge. According to the report, “The average score among those who ended their formal education with a bachelor’s degree is 57 percent, or an ‘F’. That is only 13 percentage points higher than the average score among those who ended their formal education with a high school diploma. Only 24 percent know that the First Amendment prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States.” That’s pretty basic information, isn’t it? One might expect the Bill of Rights to be part of any class on government, even as early as elementary school.
Other findings: “Elected officials score lower than the general public,” which tells us all we need to know about Washington. “Television — including TV news — Dumbs America Down,” says ISI. In the midst of important hearings in Washington on the economy and a possible bailout for the big three automakers, one cable channel carried a story about a 44-year-old stripper who is suing for age discrimination.
ISI calls on everyone involved in education, including parents, to re-evaluate curricula and standards of accountability and to emphasize to students the fundamentals about our country. It notes Thomas Jefferson’s admonition: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free ... it expects what never was and never will be.”
Read the report at www.isi.org and weep. And then demand of yourself and others that something be done to fix the intellectual deficit.
Cal Thomas writes this column for Tribune Media Services. E-mail: tmseditors@tribune.com.
Districts bracing for pension fund hit
From the BCCT. Speak of the devil...here's the school board budget increase mechanism warming up.
Districts bracing for pension fund hit
By GARY WECKSELBLATT
The devastating downward spiral of the stock market may be sickening to stomach but it’s not likely to burden taxpayers with dramatically higher payments to the public school pension system — until the 2010-11 school year.
When the Public School Employees’ Retirement System board meets Dec.12 to determine the taxpayers’ contribution for 2009-10, it will use its investment-performance numbers through June 30, when the fund was flush with $62.7 billion after a setback of only 2.8 percent through the last fiscal year.
But since that time, the S&P 500 index, often used as a baseline for comparison with pension funds, has dropped 40 percent, meaning the PSERS pension fund has likely dropped more than $20 billion.
“I don’t know how you make up for the tens of billions of dollars that aren’t there,” said Jack Myers, business manager for the Bensalem School District. “One has to assume the recession will eventually be over and there will be some sort of rebound.”
PSERS, which assumes an annual return of 8.5 percent for its pension fund, is the 14th largest defined benefit pension fund in the country. It has 264,000 active school employees and 168,000 retirees. Members contribute between 5.25 to 7.5 percent of their salary to help fund their retirement.
During this past year, school districts budgeted 4.76 percent of teacher salaries for the pension fund. That was down from 7.13 percent in 2007-08.
In a letter to school districts last December, John Godlewski, the state department of education’s former director of budget and fiscal management, recommended that districts disregard the lower number and set aside money at the 7.13 percent rate in preparation for future increases.
He called the 2012-13 school year “a pension contribution crisis unless the state takes action soon.”
Changes to PSERS’ funding formulas through state legislation in 2002 and 2004 lowered the employer contribution rate for several years before it is projected to increase sharply to 11.23 percent in fiscal year 2012-13.
The employer contribution rate is an actuarially determined rate that is the percentage of payroll the school employers are required to pay into the state’s pension fund so it has enough money to pay retirees. The Commonwealth reimburses the school districts for approximately half of the employer contribution rate.
Godlewski said the DOE was “optimistic that comprehensive pension reform legislation … can be enacted before July 2008.”
It never was.
Sylvia Lenz, business administrator for the Quakertown School District, said “Our concern has been that the rate is too low. Why is that not being taken care of now?”
Part of the problem might be the state’s own budget problems. Should it legislate to raise the districts’ contribution, it would be on the hook for more money as it compensates the schools.
Robert Reichert, director of business affairs for Hatboro-Horsham, said his district took the advice of Godlewski to set aside more money for pension contributions.
“We wanted to avoid a one-year spike in the rate that would hurt taxpayers,” he said. “I’m a proponent of the leveling strategy.”
These warnings were made well before the pension fund ended the fiscal year down 2.8 percent and before the subsequent market carnage.
Asked if she’d consider putting away more money this year in preparation for a potential catastrophe a year from now, Lenz said “Our auditors have said they’re not comfortable with us doing that.” Districts are limited to carrying no more than an 8 percent fund balance.
In the four years before this year’s 2.8 percent loss, PSERS’ returns had been “phenomenal,” according to spokeswoman Evelyn Tatkovski, earning 19.67 percent, 12.87 percent, 15.26 percent, and 22.93 percent.
“Rest assured that your pension benefit is safe,” he stated. “Your pension benefit is guaranteed by law and will not be affected by the downturn in the financial markets. As a member of a defined benefit pension plan, like PSERS, your pension benefit is based on your final average salary and years of service. The ups and downs of the investment markets do not impact your pension benefit.”
The words may not provide solace to taxpayers, who at some point will need to dig deeper to replenish losses to the public sec tor while their private accounts have been badly damaged.
And it’s not just the bear market taxpayers will be on the hook for. There are also spiking electric rates, increasing medical insurance premiums and volatile fuel prices impacting school district budgets.
“It’s a combination of things that’s very challenging,” Myers said. “I can’t imagine the revenue picture getting brighter time soon.
“The big story is likely to be a year from now.”
Districts bracing for pension fund hit
By GARY WECKSELBLATT
The devastating downward spiral of the stock market may be sickening to stomach but it’s not likely to burden taxpayers with dramatically higher payments to the public school pension system — until the 2010-11 school year.
When the Public School Employees’ Retirement System board meets Dec.12 to determine the taxpayers’ contribution for 2009-10, it will use its investment-performance numbers through June 30, when the fund was flush with $62.7 billion after a setback of only 2.8 percent through the last fiscal year.
But since that time, the S&P 500 index, often used as a baseline for comparison with pension funds, has dropped 40 percent, meaning the PSERS pension fund has likely dropped more than $20 billion.
“I don’t know how you make up for the tens of billions of dollars that aren’t there,” said Jack Myers, business manager for the Bensalem School District. “One has to assume the recession will eventually be over and there will be some sort of rebound.”
PSERS, which assumes an annual return of 8.5 percent for its pension fund, is the 14th largest defined benefit pension fund in the country. It has 264,000 active school employees and 168,000 retirees. Members contribute between 5.25 to 7.5 percent of their salary to help fund their retirement.
During this past year, school districts budgeted 4.76 percent of teacher salaries for the pension fund. That was down from 7.13 percent in 2007-08.
In a letter to school districts last December, John Godlewski, the state department of education’s former director of budget and fiscal management, recommended that districts disregard the lower number and set aside money at the 7.13 percent rate in preparation for future increases.
He called the 2012-13 school year “a pension contribution crisis unless the state takes action soon.”
Changes to PSERS’ funding formulas through state legislation in 2002 and 2004 lowered the employer contribution rate for several years before it is projected to increase sharply to 11.23 percent in fiscal year 2012-13.
The employer contribution rate is an actuarially determined rate that is the percentage of payroll the school employers are required to pay into the state’s pension fund so it has enough money to pay retirees. The Commonwealth reimburses the school districts for approximately half of the employer contribution rate.
Godlewski said the DOE was “optimistic that comprehensive pension reform legislation … can be enacted before July 2008.”
It never was.
Sylvia Lenz, business administrator for the Quakertown School District, said “Our concern has been that the rate is too low. Why is that not being taken care of now?”
Part of the problem might be the state’s own budget problems. Should it legislate to raise the districts’ contribution, it would be on the hook for more money as it compensates the schools.
Robert Reichert, director of business affairs for Hatboro-Horsham, said his district took the advice of Godlewski to set aside more money for pension contributions.
“We wanted to avoid a one-year spike in the rate that would hurt taxpayers,” he said. “I’m a proponent of the leveling strategy.”
These warnings were made well before the pension fund ended the fiscal year down 2.8 percent and before the subsequent market carnage.
Asked if she’d consider putting away more money this year in preparation for a potential catastrophe a year from now, Lenz said “Our auditors have said they’re not comfortable with us doing that.” Districts are limited to carrying no more than an 8 percent fund balance.
In the four years before this year’s 2.8 percent loss, PSERS’ returns had been “phenomenal,” according to spokeswoman Evelyn Tatkovski, earning 19.67 percent, 12.87 percent, 15.26 percent, and 22.93 percent.
“Rest assured that your pension benefit is safe,” he stated. “Your pension benefit is guaranteed by law and will not be affected by the downturn in the financial markets. As a member of a defined benefit pension plan, like PSERS, your pension benefit is based on your final average salary and years of service. The ups and downs of the investment markets do not impact your pension benefit.”
The words may not provide solace to taxpayers, who at some point will need to dig deeper to replenish losses to the public sec tor while their private accounts have been badly damaged.
And it’s not just the bear market taxpayers will be on the hook for. There are also spiking electric rates, increasing medical insurance premiums and volatile fuel prices impacting school district budgets.
“It’s a combination of things that’s very challenging,” Myers said. “I can’t imagine the revenue picture getting brighter time soon.
“The big story is likely to be a year from now.”
Morrisville $70 tax hike
From the BCCT. Here's the cost of a do-nothing make-businesses-go-away borough council.
Wait until the school district hands in their bill.
Budget includes $70 tax hike
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more a year in borough taxes if the 2009 preliminary budget is finalized.
A 3.5-mill increase is needed to balance the $5.8 million preliminary budget, which was approved earlier this week and is up from this year’s $5.3 million spending plan.
One mill, or about $60,000, of the increase is allocated for public works trucks and equipment; another mill to purchase fire equipment; and 1.5 mills, or about $90,000, for ambulance service. The hike for ambulance service passed by voter referendum earlier this month. The total millage in 2009 would be 39.43.
The $70 tax hike is based on the average residential property assessment of $20,000. So residents would pay about $788 in borough taxes next year.
The borough will pay about $45,000 more in sanitation charges in 2009 due to an increase by the borough’s trash hauler. It also will put out $149,530 more for salaries, insurances and general operating costs with no millage increase, borough Manager George Mount said Wednesday.
A majority of the budget, $1.53 million, would go toward the police department.
The budget has to be finalized by Dec. 31.
The budget is available for public viewing at the borough hall, 35 Union St. For more information, call 215-295-8181.
Wait until the school district hands in their bill.
Budget includes $70 tax hike
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more a year in borough taxes if the 2009 preliminary budget is finalized.
A 3.5-mill increase is needed to balance the $5.8 million preliminary budget, which was approved earlier this week and is up from this year’s $5.3 million spending plan.
One mill, or about $60,000, of the increase is allocated for public works trucks and equipment; another mill to purchase fire equipment; and 1.5 mills, or about $90,000, for ambulance service. The hike for ambulance service passed by voter referendum earlier this month. The total millage in 2009 would be 39.43.
The $70 tax hike is based on the average residential property assessment of $20,000. So residents would pay about $788 in borough taxes next year.
The borough will pay about $45,000 more in sanitation charges in 2009 due to an increase by the borough’s trash hauler. It also will put out $149,530 more for salaries, insurances and general operating costs with no millage increase, borough Manager George Mount said Wednesday.
A majority of the budget, $1.53 million, would go toward the police department.
The budget has to be finalized by Dec. 31.
The budget is available for public viewing at the borough hall, 35 Union St. For more information, call 215-295-8181.
Keep buck$ in Bucks
From the BCCT. Check out the local businesses in Morrisville. There's a lot of great people out there providing quality products and services.
Keep buck$ in Bucks
That’s the message local businesses want to get out as they ask people to shop closer to home for the holidays.
By CRISSA SHOEMAKER DEBREE
Merchants in Bristol, Morrisville, New Hope and Yardley want residents to celebrate the holidays with their neighbors — and hopefully, spend some money locally.
The four towns, which comprise the Landmark Towns of Bucks County regional economic development initiative, have launched a “Shop Local First” campaign to encourage residents to visit Main Street retailers first.
“It becomes really important for the local residents to reflect on how the local businesses support them throughout the year, and in turn, support the local businesses,” said Donna Boone, regional main street coordinator for Landmark Towns. “Local businesses provide local jobs, they support the nonprofits. They’re the first people you go to when you need help with something. Then, when the holidays roll around, people don’t think of the local businesses.”
Leaders in Bristol, New Hope and Yardley have proclaimed Dec. 7-13 “Shop Local Week.” Morrisville has dedicated the entire month of December to the project.
Fred Eisen, who owns Fred Eisen Leather in New Hope, said some local residents don’t even know his shop exists. Eisen sells leather goods and makes most of his products on site. He also does alterations and repairs.
“I hope we can get people to shop locally,” he said. “If they like the shops that are there, that’s the only way to keep them there.”
Maryanne Lalli, who owns the Cannoli Coffee Bar & Gelateria in Bristol, hopes the promotion will draw people out of their homes to support the local economy. She’s working with other borough retailers to book entertainment for the week.
“Due to the economy, we are thinking of more creative ways to get people into our stores,” she said. “Businesses have to be creative just trying to stay afloat.”
Retailers in the Landmark Towns program aren’t the only ones hoping shoppers’ money stays local.
The American Independent Business Alliance, a nonprofit group that helps people start local business groups, has launched a similar promotion, called America Unchained!, which happens Saturday. Cheltenham in Montgomery County is one of several communities around the country participating in that event.
Area merchants hope to capitalize on what other towns are doing.
Sue Dershin, who owns A Special Gift in Doylestown, said business in her shop, which sells handcrafted gifts, has been “terrible” over the past few months.
“I understand the whole thing of money being tight,” she said. “Shopping locally really does make a difference.”
Keep buck$ in Bucks
That’s the message local businesses want to get out as they ask people to shop closer to home for the holidays.
By CRISSA SHOEMAKER DEBREE
Merchants in Bristol, Morrisville, New Hope and Yardley want residents to celebrate the holidays with their neighbors — and hopefully, spend some money locally.
The four towns, which comprise the Landmark Towns of Bucks County regional economic development initiative, have launched a “Shop Local First” campaign to encourage residents to visit Main Street retailers first.
“It becomes really important for the local residents to reflect on how the local businesses support them throughout the year, and in turn, support the local businesses,” said Donna Boone, regional main street coordinator for Landmark Towns. “Local businesses provide local jobs, they support the nonprofits. They’re the first people you go to when you need help with something. Then, when the holidays roll around, people don’t think of the local businesses.”
Leaders in Bristol, New Hope and Yardley have proclaimed Dec. 7-13 “Shop Local Week.” Morrisville has dedicated the entire month of December to the project.
Fred Eisen, who owns Fred Eisen Leather in New Hope, said some local residents don’t even know his shop exists. Eisen sells leather goods and makes most of his products on site. He also does alterations and repairs.
“I hope we can get people to shop locally,” he said. “If they like the shops that are there, that’s the only way to keep them there.”
Maryanne Lalli, who owns the Cannoli Coffee Bar & Gelateria in Bristol, hopes the promotion will draw people out of their homes to support the local economy. She’s working with other borough retailers to book entertainment for the week.
“Due to the economy, we are thinking of more creative ways to get people into our stores,” she said. “Businesses have to be creative just trying to stay afloat.”
Retailers in the Landmark Towns program aren’t the only ones hoping shoppers’ money stays local.
The American Independent Business Alliance, a nonprofit group that helps people start local business groups, has launched a similar promotion, called America Unchained!, which happens Saturday. Cheltenham in Montgomery County is one of several communities around the country participating in that event.
Area merchants hope to capitalize on what other towns are doing.
Sue Dershin, who owns A Special Gift in Doylestown, said business in her shop, which sells handcrafted gifts, has been “terrible” over the past few months.
“I understand the whole thing of money being tight,” she said. “Shopping locally really does make a difference.”
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monthly Business Meeting Reminder
It's Wednesday night. You know what that means...
Board of Ed Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Education Committee Meeting
The Education Committee Meeting will be in held the G Hall Conference Room at 6:30PM in the Middle Senior High School.
Site: HS G Hall Conference Room
Time: 6:30PM
HR Committee Meeting
The HR Committee Meeting will be held in the G Hall Conference Room at 7:000PM in the Middle Senior High School.
Site: HS G Hall Conference Room
Time: 7:00PM
Board Meeting
The monthly school board meeting will be held in the LGI room located in the Middle Senior High School at 7:30 p.m. in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer Street, Morrisville, PA.
Site: HS LGI
Time: 7:30PM
Board of Ed Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Education Committee Meeting
The Education Committee Meeting will be in held the G Hall Conference Room at 6:30PM in the Middle Senior High School.
Site: HS G Hall Conference Room
Time: 6:30PM
HR Committee Meeting
The HR Committee Meeting will be held in the G Hall Conference Room at 7:000PM in the Middle Senior High School.
Site: HS G Hall Conference Room
Time: 7:00PM
Board Meeting
The monthly school board meeting will be held in the LGI room located in the Middle Senior High School at 7:30 p.m. in the LGI Room of the Morrisville Middle Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer Street, Morrisville, PA.
Site: HS LGI
Time: 7:30PM
Bensalem school theft
From the BCCT.
School secretary charged with theft
By BEN FINLEY
A Bensalem elementary school secretary is charged with stealing $5,000 from the school’s activity fund to pay her rent.
Jeannette DeVuono, 46, of Dunbar Court in Bensalem, is a secretary at Russell C. Struble Elementary School on Bensalem Boulevard, police said.
She was arraigned Tuesday morning on 16 third-degree felony charges, each punishable by up to seven years in prison, according to court records. Those charges include access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiving stolen property, court records stated.
Bristol Township District Judge Joanne V. Kline, subbing for Bensalem District Judge Leonard Brown, released DeVuono on her own recognizance.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching DeVuono, also known as Jeannette Lipp, for comment.
The investigation began in October with a call to police from James Lombardo, Bensalem schools superintendent, according to court records. Lombardo told a detective that four checks from the school’s activities account totaling $5,150 were cashed by DeVuono, court records said.
Lombardo talked to DeVuono about the checks, and she allegedly admitted to cashing two of them. When a Bensalem detective talked to her, she admitted cashing all four of the checks, according to court records. She allegedly added: “I want to make full restitution.”
A preliminary hearing to review the charges against DeVuono is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 25 in Brown’s court in Bensalem.
Her employment status in the district is unknown. The school’s Web site, www.bensalemsd.org, lists her as a secretary.
DeVuono is currently on leave from the district, Lombardo said without elaboration.
“We have very good internal and external auditing procedures in place that will discover any transactions that are questionable,” Lombardo added. “And whenever that occurs, we will work in full cooperation with the police.”
School secretary charged with theft
By BEN FINLEY
A Bensalem elementary school secretary is charged with stealing $5,000 from the school’s activity fund to pay her rent.
Jeannette DeVuono, 46, of Dunbar Court in Bensalem, is a secretary at Russell C. Struble Elementary School on Bensalem Boulevard, police said.
She was arraigned Tuesday morning on 16 third-degree felony charges, each punishable by up to seven years in prison, according to court records. Those charges include access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiving stolen property, court records stated.
Bristol Township District Judge Joanne V. Kline, subbing for Bensalem District Judge Leonard Brown, released DeVuono on her own recognizance.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching DeVuono, also known as Jeannette Lipp, for comment.
The investigation began in October with a call to police from James Lombardo, Bensalem schools superintendent, according to court records. Lombardo told a detective that four checks from the school’s activities account totaling $5,150 were cashed by DeVuono, court records said.
Lombardo talked to DeVuono about the checks, and she allegedly admitted to cashing two of them. When a Bensalem detective talked to her, she admitted cashing all four of the checks, according to court records. She allegedly added: “I want to make full restitution.”
A preliminary hearing to review the charges against DeVuono is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 25 in Brown’s court in Bensalem.
Her employment status in the district is unknown. The school’s Web site, www.bensalemsd.org, lists her as a secretary.
DeVuono is currently on leave from the district, Lombardo said without elaboration.
“We have very good internal and external auditing procedures in place that will discover any transactions that are questionable,” Lombardo added. “And whenever that occurs, we will work in full cooperation with the police.”
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
New Thomas Barclay Book Unveiled
From the BCCT.
Barclay book to be unveiled
Priscilla and Dick Roberts will unveil the book at the wealthy merchant’s former summer home, historic Summerseat.
BY DANNY ADLER
Thomas Barclay, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant whose summer home in the late 18th century was historic Summerseat in Morrisville, is not particularly well known.
The Irish immigrant left no diaries or personal papers, so information is scarce and scattered, Morrisville’s historical society says. This led two historians from Denver on a search through several U.S. states and to places as far away as Lisbon, Moscow, Tangier and New Zealand in an attempt to discover more about Barclay, a successful diplomat.
Priscilla and Dick Roberts will unveil their new book, “Thomas Barclay 1728-1793: Consul in France, Diplomat in Barbary,” Friday at Summerseat, where they’ll tell tales of Barclay’s life in Revolutionary Pennsylvania, France and Morocco. The 407-page book was published in October by Lehigh University Press with a list price of $62.50.
Standing at Hillcrest and Legion avenues, the home was originally 220 acres. Much of that land has given way to streets, homes, a nearby school and apartment complex. Formed in 1976 to preserve and restore the Georgian mansion, the Historic Morrisville Society calls Summerseat home.
It was built in the 1770s for Barclay’s father-in-law, Adam Hoops. With Barclay as its owner, Gen. George Washington stayed there from Dec. 8-14, 1776, before the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River for the Battle of Trenton, a pivotal turning point of the Revolutionary War.
Later owners would include Robert Morris, the financier of the American Revolution, and George Clymer, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Barclay book to be unveiled
Priscilla and Dick Roberts will unveil the book at the wealthy merchant’s former summer home, historic Summerseat.
BY DANNY ADLER
Thomas Barclay, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant whose summer home in the late 18th century was historic Summerseat in Morrisville, is not particularly well known.
The Irish immigrant left no diaries or personal papers, so information is scarce and scattered, Morrisville’s historical society says. This led two historians from Denver on a search through several U.S. states and to places as far away as Lisbon, Moscow, Tangier and New Zealand in an attempt to discover more about Barclay, a successful diplomat.
Priscilla and Dick Roberts will unveil their new book, “Thomas Barclay 1728-1793: Consul in France, Diplomat in Barbary,” Friday at Summerseat, where they’ll tell tales of Barclay’s life in Revolutionary Pennsylvania, France and Morocco. The 407-page book was published in October by Lehigh University Press with a list price of $62.50.
Standing at Hillcrest and Legion avenues, the home was originally 220 acres. Much of that land has given way to streets, homes, a nearby school and apartment complex. Formed in 1976 to preserve and restore the Georgian mansion, the Historic Morrisville Society calls Summerseat home.
It was built in the 1770s for Barclay’s father-in-law, Adam Hoops. With Barclay as its owner, Gen. George Washington stayed there from Dec. 8-14, 1776, before the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River for the Battle of Trenton, a pivotal turning point of the Revolutionary War.
Later owners would include Robert Morris, the financier of the American Revolution, and George Clymer, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Trees Planted at Williamson
From the BCCT
Posted in News on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm by Staff Photographer Kim Weimer
Debby Colgan,with the Morrisville Environmental Advisary Council checks to see if a tree she’s planting fits properly, as Scott Sanford holds it in place while planting a crabapple tree in Williamson Park in Morrisville Borough. Through the efforts of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Tree Vitalize program and local bodies, 50 trees are added to the park along North Delmorr Avenue in the Borough, Saturday. Yardley is also slated for 15 trees that will line Main Street and Afton Avenue in their Borough. Both boroughs are part of the Landmark Towns project that is designed to help small river towns invigorate their downtown business districts.
Posted in News on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm by Staff Photographer Kim Weimer
Debby Colgan,with the Morrisville Environmental Advisary Council checks to see if a tree she’s planting fits properly, as Scott Sanford holds it in place while planting a crabapple tree in Williamson Park in Morrisville Borough. Through the efforts of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Tree Vitalize program and local bodies, 50 trees are added to the park along North Delmorr Avenue in the Borough, Saturday. Yardley is also slated for 15 trees that will line Main Street and Afton Avenue in their Borough. Both boroughs are part of the Landmark Towns project that is designed to help small river towns invigorate their downtown business districts.
Delaware River Tidal Trail
From the Philadelphia Daily News.
Shifting the tide toward Delaware River recreation
By JASON NARK, Philadelphia Daily News Posted on Mon, Nov. 17, 2008
IN A GAME of chicken, an oil tanker always beats a kayak.
On the Delaware River, one of the region's most vital economic assets, local environmental groups are trying to turn both types of vessels in the same direction.
Doing so requires an image makeover, they say, and an admission that industry has hoarded both the river and its shoreline for more than a century, damaging its public perception.
As a result, people have forgotten about the wide, murky river when they head off to launch their boats or canoes at the Jersey Shore or in the Poconos.
"We really cut ourselves off from the river. It became a bit of an eyesore," said Patrick Starr, senior vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council's southeast region. "We have a lot of repair work."
Part of that repair work, Starr said, is the creation of a 56-mile Delaware River Tidal Trail Map that details the locations of access points, amenities and historical and cultural sites from the Morrisville/Trenton area south to Marcus Hook.
Expansive, heavily detailed maps can be found at www.tidaltrail.org, a Web site that Starr hopes will spawn social networking for people to talk about the river.
"It's about a core belief of getting people down to the river through public access," he said. "It's about getting people involved with the river and into it."
The maps also feature the various public lands, or greenways, that dot the river's shoreline and could be connected someday, Starr added.
People kayak, canoe, fish and swim in the 330-mile-long Delaware all the time - but most of that takes place north of Trenton, where the river is fit for postcards and bears no resemblance to the deep, tidal stretches of its lower half.
That shallow, rocky river up north is a recreation destination precisely because it has little industrial value, environmental advocates say.
South of Trenton, the river is nothing short of an economic superhighway. Combined, the docks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware make the river the largest freshwater port in the world that, according to a 2005 government report, brings in close to $20 billion in economic activity per year and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs.
But the river isn't just a superhighway, said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.
"It's a living, breathing ecosystem," she said.
Van Rossum said most of the important government decisions, whether they relate to dredging the river's channel or building along the waterfront, are based exclusively on economic factors.
She applauded the tidal-trail maps, saying they'll help create "champions of the river."
"People will recognize the value of the river as a natural place," she said.
The recreation business will never compete with the crude-oil and international cargo that come up the river daily, but Starr said a dollar or two could be made.
"We plan on conducting an economic-impact study soon," he said.
New business could consist of canoe or kayak outfitters, guided tours via the water, or simply add-ons at the dozens of marinas and sailing clubs that line both sides of the river and its tributaries.
"We have a beautiful river here that has natural and cultural features," he said. "You don't have to drive 75 miles to see that, you can do it here."
As for the image makeover, Starr is confident that the river isn't the trash can it may have been a half-century ago.
And while he wouldn't go so far as to recommend eating the fish (advisories warn against it), Starr is happy the fish are back in the Delaware.
"It's a lot cleaner now than it ever was," he said. "I think it's safe to go back in the water."
For more information about the Delaware River visit www.delawareriverkeeper.org, www.pecpa.org and www.delawareriver.net.
Shifting the tide toward Delaware River recreation
By JASON NARK, Philadelphia Daily News Posted on Mon, Nov. 17, 2008
IN A GAME of chicken, an oil tanker always beats a kayak.
On the Delaware River, one of the region's most vital economic assets, local environmental groups are trying to turn both types of vessels in the same direction.
Doing so requires an image makeover, they say, and an admission that industry has hoarded both the river and its shoreline for more than a century, damaging its public perception.
As a result, people have forgotten about the wide, murky river when they head off to launch their boats or canoes at the Jersey Shore or in the Poconos.
"We really cut ourselves off from the river. It became a bit of an eyesore," said Patrick Starr, senior vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council's southeast region. "We have a lot of repair work."
Part of that repair work, Starr said, is the creation of a 56-mile Delaware River Tidal Trail Map that details the locations of access points, amenities and historical and cultural sites from the Morrisville/Trenton area south to Marcus Hook.
Expansive, heavily detailed maps can be found at www.tidaltrail.org, a Web site that Starr hopes will spawn social networking for people to talk about the river.
"It's about a core belief of getting people down to the river through public access," he said. "It's about getting people involved with the river and into it."
The maps also feature the various public lands, or greenways, that dot the river's shoreline and could be connected someday, Starr added.
People kayak, canoe, fish and swim in the 330-mile-long Delaware all the time - but most of that takes place north of Trenton, where the river is fit for postcards and bears no resemblance to the deep, tidal stretches of its lower half.
That shallow, rocky river up north is a recreation destination precisely because it has little industrial value, environmental advocates say.
South of Trenton, the river is nothing short of an economic superhighway. Combined, the docks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware make the river the largest freshwater port in the world that, according to a 2005 government report, brings in close to $20 billion in economic activity per year and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs.
But the river isn't just a superhighway, said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.
"It's a living, breathing ecosystem," she said.
Van Rossum said most of the important government decisions, whether they relate to dredging the river's channel or building along the waterfront, are based exclusively on economic factors.
She applauded the tidal-trail maps, saying they'll help create "champions of the river."
"People will recognize the value of the river as a natural place," she said.
The recreation business will never compete with the crude-oil and international cargo that come up the river daily, but Starr said a dollar or two could be made.
"We plan on conducting an economic-impact study soon," he said.
New business could consist of canoe or kayak outfitters, guided tours via the water, or simply add-ons at the dozens of marinas and sailing clubs that line both sides of the river and its tributaries.
"We have a beautiful river here that has natural and cultural features," he said. "You don't have to drive 75 miles to see that, you can do it here."
As for the image makeover, Starr is confident that the river isn't the trash can it may have been a half-century ago.
And while he wouldn't go so far as to recommend eating the fish (advisories warn against it), Starr is happy the fish are back in the Delaware.
"It's a lot cleaner now than it ever was," he said. "I think it's safe to go back in the water."
For more information about the Delaware River visit www.delawareriverkeeper.org, www.pecpa.org and www.delawareriver.net.
Monday, November 17, 2008
PA State Tax report
Press release from The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.
School board members, Morrisville Borough Council members, Senator McIlhenney and Representative Galloway: What are you doing about this? Why is there such a regressive tax system in place?
New Report Finds Pennsylvania Tax and Spending Levels Moderate and Stable Over Time
Last update: 12:01 a.m. EST Nov. 16, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pennsylvania also has one of the most regressive tax systems in the U.S., with the poor paying 12.3 cents in taxes out of every $1 of income, while the rich pay only 4.3 cents.
Pennsylvania ranks favorably when compared to the nation and to competitor states in overall tax and spending levels, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC).
Pennsylvania state taxes, when measured as a share of state personal income, ranked 32nd among the 50 states in 2005, while state spending ranked 30th. Pennsylvania taxes were 6.3 percent of state personal income, a half-percentage point less than the average of competing states.(1)
But Pennsylvania's tax system is highly regressive, taking a significantly larger share of the incomes of the bottom 20 percent of earners than of the incomes of more affluent Pennsylvanians.
PBPC's new report, The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You, provides a roadmap to state and local tax policy in Pennsylvania, with a focus on whether taxes and spending are fair and appropriate to the state's needs. It can be viewed online at http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
The report finds that, over the past three decades, Pennsylvania state government taxes have held steady as a share of income, while state expenditures have stayed below the national average for 27 of the last 30 years.
The findings on state taxes and spending fly in the face of myths that Pennsylvania state spending is out of control and needs to be reduced, noted Sharon Ward, director of the PBPC, a non-partisan tax policy research organization.
"State budget discussions in Harrisburg begin with an assumption that state taxes and spending are high and that state spending is a luxury," said Ward. "This report makes clear that Pennsylvania spending and taxes are both competitive and necessary for the state's economy to grow."
Two-thirds of state General Fund spending goes to just three items: education, health care, and public safety. The report argues that investments in public goods, including public and higher education, workforce development, and transportation, make a vital contribution to the state's economy and are critical to economic growth.
The new report's findings have important implications for lawmakers as they contemplate a response to a growing state budget deficit. Ward noted that the deficit is the result of declining state revenue collections resulting from a downturn in the business cycle and national economic forces, not a result of unsustainable spending.
The PBPC study found that Pennsylvania fares less well in two other areas--tax fairness and local tax burden.
The Commonwealth has one of the most "regressive" state and local tax systems in the nation, based on the share of income paid in state and local taxes by poor vs. affluent families. One reason for this is Pennsylvania's flat personal income tax rate. While most states have graduated income taxes that assess higher rates on affluent earners than on middle-class and low-income families, Pennsylvania's Constitution requires all earners (except for the poor and elderly) to be taxed at the same, or "uniform," rate. This prevents Pennsylvania from using a progressive income tax to increase the overall fairness of the tax structure.
"Without a progressive income tax, Pennsylvania's state tax system has no way to offset regressive sales and property taxes," Ward said. "That results in lower-income workers paying a bigger chunk of their paychecks in taxes than wealthier Pennsylvanians."
Pennsylvania also relies heavily on local taxes to fund a variety of services, especially public education.
The state ranks near the bottom in the state share of education spending, in 2005 numbers, with 46 other states providing more state help than Pennsylvania. The heavy reliance on local taxpayers for school funding translates into high tax rates in some lower-income school districts and low tax rates in some high-income districts. Even with high local tax rates, some districts do not have enough wealth and income to fund schools adequately, creating wide gaps in school funding.
PBPC's report also found that property taxes in Pennsylvania, measured against state personal income, are only 95 percent of the national average and lower than most competitor states.
"Pennsylvania has started moving toward greater state funding for public education, but more still remains to be done to put Pennsylvania on par with neighboring states and the national average," Ward said.
AMONG THE REPORT'S MAJOR FINDINGS:
-- State Taxes Are Relatively Low: The personal income tax rate, at 3.07
percent, is the second lowest top rate in the country, while the
6-percent sales tax (7-percent in Philadelphia and Allegheny County) is
in the middle range of all states. The corporate net income (CNI) tax
rate of 9.99 percent is relatively high, although loopholes in the law
(and other factors) mean that 71 percent of companies don't pay any
CNI tax.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes and spending are less than a majority of
U.S. states when measured as a share of state personal income. In
2005, state taxes were 6.3 percent of personal income, ranking the
state 32nd in the nation.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes are less than competitor states. New York
and Ohio had slightly higher rates as a share of personal income,
while Delaware exceeded 8 percent and West Virginia hit 9 percent.
-- Pennsylvania Relies Heavily on Local Taxes: Pennsylvania state and local
taxes combined rank 21st nationally, at 10.7 percent as a share of
personal income, compared to 32nd nationally for state only taxes. This
reflects a heavy reliance on local taxes, and especially on local
property taxes, to fund public services.
-- In 2005-06, local governments and school districts relied on
property taxes to fund 71 percent of services and public education.
-- Local Property Taxes Are Comparatively Low But Contain Significant
Disparities Across Districts: Across the state, property taxes average
3.1 percent of personal income, compared to 3.3 percent nationally, 3.3
percent in Ohio, more than 4 percent in New York, and 5 percent in New
Jersey.
-- At the same time, average property tax rates on residential property
can range from 0.9 percent to 9.7 percent of personal income across
Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. It is not uncommon for
poorer school districts to have higher school property tax rates
than more affluent districts in the same county.
-- Pennsylvania's Tax Structure Squeezes Low-Income Workers:
Low-income Pennsylvanians, living paycheck to paycheck, pay much higher
percentages of their income in taxes.
-- The lowest quintile of Pennsylvanians spends 2.5 percent of their
income on sales tax, while the wealthiest fifth spend 1.5 percent or
less.
-- Overall, the poorest 20 percent pay nearly three times their share
of income in state and local taxes than the richest 1 percent--12.3
cents out of each dollar of income compared to only 4.3 cents for
the richest families (once you take into account that state and
local taxes reduce federal taxable income for most affluent
families). Middle-class families also pay a higher share of their
income in state and local income taxes than the wealthiest 20
percent.
The report proposes that policymakers consider an amendment to the Constitution so that a graduated income tax could be introduced to Pennsylvania. That would tax the income of wealthy earners at a higher rate than lower-income workers.
It suggests the state needs a stable stream of revenue that grows over time to keep up with the cost of services, and highlights challenges to a stable tax system. They include declining corporate tax revenue, the aging population, and a tax system that has not been comprehensively updated and reformed in generations. To address these issues, state policymakers should:
-- Review tax exemptions and tax credits for effectiveness;
-- Close loopholes in the corporate net income tax system that allow
multistate and multinational companies to hide Pennsylvania earnings in
lower-tax jurisdictions. That would generate $616 million a year,
according to the Department of Revenue;
-- Broaden the state sales tax base to include currently exempt luxury
items and expand tobacco taxes to include smokeless tobacco.
Pennsylvania is the only state that does not tax smokeless tobacco.
-- Implement a "severance" tax on the extraction of state
resources from the ground, such as natural gas. Estimates show that such
a levy on natural gas drilling could raise $200 million in new revenue
annually.
The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You is an easy-to-read guide to state and local taxes and Pennsylvania's budget process. It is designed to translate the sometimes esoteric terminology of budget and tax issues into plain language.
"This is a one-of-a-kind publication that will help policymakers, journalists, advocates and all Pennsylvanians navigate the world of public spending and taxes to better understand where their tax dollars go," Ward said.
About PBPC
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget, and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families. To view the new report on state and local tax policy, go to http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
(1) State personal income measures a state's economic activity. It includes the total of all wages, salaries, employer-contributed pensions and insurance, business earnings, rental earnings, dividends, and interest earned by commonwealth residents.
SOURCE The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf
School board members, Morrisville Borough Council members, Senator McIlhenney and Representative Galloway: What are you doing about this? Why is there such a regressive tax system in place?
New Report Finds Pennsylvania Tax and Spending Levels Moderate and Stable Over Time
Last update: 12:01 a.m. EST Nov. 16, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pennsylvania also has one of the most regressive tax systems in the U.S., with the poor paying 12.3 cents in taxes out of every $1 of income, while the rich pay only 4.3 cents.
Pennsylvania ranks favorably when compared to the nation and to competitor states in overall tax and spending levels, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC).
Pennsylvania state taxes, when measured as a share of state personal income, ranked 32nd among the 50 states in 2005, while state spending ranked 30th. Pennsylvania taxes were 6.3 percent of state personal income, a half-percentage point less than the average of competing states.(1)
But Pennsylvania's tax system is highly regressive, taking a significantly larger share of the incomes of the bottom 20 percent of earners than of the incomes of more affluent Pennsylvanians.
PBPC's new report, The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You, provides a roadmap to state and local tax policy in Pennsylvania, with a focus on whether taxes and spending are fair and appropriate to the state's needs. It can be viewed online at http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
The report finds that, over the past three decades, Pennsylvania state government taxes have held steady as a share of income, while state expenditures have stayed below the national average for 27 of the last 30 years.
The findings on state taxes and spending fly in the face of myths that Pennsylvania state spending is out of control and needs to be reduced, noted Sharon Ward, director of the PBPC, a non-partisan tax policy research organization.
"State budget discussions in Harrisburg begin with an assumption that state taxes and spending are high and that state spending is a luxury," said Ward. "This report makes clear that Pennsylvania spending and taxes are both competitive and necessary for the state's economy to grow."
Two-thirds of state General Fund spending goes to just three items: education, health care, and public safety. The report argues that investments in public goods, including public and higher education, workforce development, and transportation, make a vital contribution to the state's economy and are critical to economic growth.
The new report's findings have important implications for lawmakers as they contemplate a response to a growing state budget deficit. Ward noted that the deficit is the result of declining state revenue collections resulting from a downturn in the business cycle and national economic forces, not a result of unsustainable spending.
The PBPC study found that Pennsylvania fares less well in two other areas--tax fairness and local tax burden.
The Commonwealth has one of the most "regressive" state and local tax systems in the nation, based on the share of income paid in state and local taxes by poor vs. affluent families. One reason for this is Pennsylvania's flat personal income tax rate. While most states have graduated income taxes that assess higher rates on affluent earners than on middle-class and low-income families, Pennsylvania's Constitution requires all earners (except for the poor and elderly) to be taxed at the same, or "uniform," rate. This prevents Pennsylvania from using a progressive income tax to increase the overall fairness of the tax structure.
"Without a progressive income tax, Pennsylvania's state tax system has no way to offset regressive sales and property taxes," Ward said. "That results in lower-income workers paying a bigger chunk of their paychecks in taxes than wealthier Pennsylvanians."
Pennsylvania also relies heavily on local taxes to fund a variety of services, especially public education.
The state ranks near the bottom in the state share of education spending, in 2005 numbers, with 46 other states providing more state help than Pennsylvania. The heavy reliance on local taxpayers for school funding translates into high tax rates in some lower-income school districts and low tax rates in some high-income districts. Even with high local tax rates, some districts do not have enough wealth and income to fund schools adequately, creating wide gaps in school funding.
PBPC's report also found that property taxes in Pennsylvania, measured against state personal income, are only 95 percent of the national average and lower than most competitor states.
"Pennsylvania has started moving toward greater state funding for public education, but more still remains to be done to put Pennsylvania on par with neighboring states and the national average," Ward said.
AMONG THE REPORT'S MAJOR FINDINGS:
-- State Taxes Are Relatively Low: The personal income tax rate, at 3.07
percent, is the second lowest top rate in the country, while the
6-percent sales tax (7-percent in Philadelphia and Allegheny County) is
in the middle range of all states. The corporate net income (CNI) tax
rate of 9.99 percent is relatively high, although loopholes in the law
(and other factors) mean that 71 percent of companies don't pay any
CNI tax.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes and spending are less than a majority of
U.S. states when measured as a share of state personal income. In
2005, state taxes were 6.3 percent of personal income, ranking the
state 32nd in the nation.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes are less than competitor states. New York
and Ohio had slightly higher rates as a share of personal income,
while Delaware exceeded 8 percent and West Virginia hit 9 percent.
-- Pennsylvania Relies Heavily on Local Taxes: Pennsylvania state and local
taxes combined rank 21st nationally, at 10.7 percent as a share of
personal income, compared to 32nd nationally for state only taxes. This
reflects a heavy reliance on local taxes, and especially on local
property taxes, to fund public services.
-- In 2005-06, local governments and school districts relied on
property taxes to fund 71 percent of services and public education.
-- Local Property Taxes Are Comparatively Low But Contain Significant
Disparities Across Districts: Across the state, property taxes average
3.1 percent of personal income, compared to 3.3 percent nationally, 3.3
percent in Ohio, more than 4 percent in New York, and 5 percent in New
Jersey.
-- At the same time, average property tax rates on residential property
can range from 0.9 percent to 9.7 percent of personal income across
Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. It is not uncommon for
poorer school districts to have higher school property tax rates
than more affluent districts in the same county.
-- Pennsylvania's Tax Structure Squeezes Low-Income Workers:
Low-income Pennsylvanians, living paycheck to paycheck, pay much higher
percentages of their income in taxes.
-- The lowest quintile of Pennsylvanians spends 2.5 percent of their
income on sales tax, while the wealthiest fifth spend 1.5 percent or
less.
-- Overall, the poorest 20 percent pay nearly three times their share
of income in state and local taxes than the richest 1 percent--12.3
cents out of each dollar of income compared to only 4.3 cents for
the richest families (once you take into account that state and
local taxes reduce federal taxable income for most affluent
families). Middle-class families also pay a higher share of their
income in state and local income taxes than the wealthiest 20
percent.
The report proposes that policymakers consider an amendment to the Constitution so that a graduated income tax could be introduced to Pennsylvania. That would tax the income of wealthy earners at a higher rate than lower-income workers.
It suggests the state needs a stable stream of revenue that grows over time to keep up with the cost of services, and highlights challenges to a stable tax system. They include declining corporate tax revenue, the aging population, and a tax system that has not been comprehensively updated and reformed in generations. To address these issues, state policymakers should:
-- Review tax exemptions and tax credits for effectiveness;
-- Close loopholes in the corporate net income tax system that allow
multistate and multinational companies to hide Pennsylvania earnings in
lower-tax jurisdictions. That would generate $616 million a year,
according to the Department of Revenue;
-- Broaden the state sales tax base to include currently exempt luxury
items and expand tobacco taxes to include smokeless tobacco.
Pennsylvania is the only state that does not tax smokeless tobacco.
-- Implement a "severance" tax on the extraction of state
resources from the ground, such as natural gas. Estimates show that such
a levy on natural gas drilling could raise $200 million in new revenue
annually.
The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You is an easy-to-read guide to state and local taxes and Pennsylvania's budget process. It is designed to translate the sometimes esoteric terminology of budget and tax issues into plain language.
"This is a one-of-a-kind publication that will help policymakers, journalists, advocates and all Pennsylvanians navigate the world of public spending and taxes to better understand where their tax dollars go," Ward said.
About PBPC
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget, and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families. To view the new report on state and local tax policy, go to http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
(1) State personal income measures a state's economic activity. It includes the total of all wages, salaries, employer-contributed pensions and insurance, business earnings, rental earnings, dividends, and interest earned by commonwealth residents.
SOURCE The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf
Responsibility
From the BCCT
Team comes first
“Once in a lifetime” is one description we heard for the Phillies World Series parade. And, indeed, thousands upon thousands of people used that as justification to attend the festivities, blowing off work, school or who knows what other commitments so they could be there in person.
For some high school athletes scheduled to play that Friday night, going to the parade or not going may have been a difficult decision. The PIAA has a rule that an athlete who misses school the day of a game can't play that night.
We don't think the choice should really be too hard for an athlete truly dedicated to his or her team. The team comes first, and if that means missing a so-called “once-in-a-lifetime” event, well, that's part of the sacrifice of being a team member.
Ten Hatboro-Horsham football players picked the parade over school that day, knowing that, under state rules, they would be ineligible for that night's game against Central Bucks West. But in their case, there was more than just the one game involved. Head coach Tom Butts had told all of his players that if they went to the parade, they would be kicked off the team. The 10 went anyway, and Butts followed through with his directive.
North Penn head coach Dick Beck told his players the same thing.
Good for them and every other coach who taught a valuable lesson that goes way beyond Xs and Os. This was a lesson about responsibility.
Any player or parent who thinks dismissal was too harsh a punishment simply doesn't get it. Respect for team rules is part of what makes a team a team. What Butts, Beck and other coaches decided about school attendance was hardly unreasonable.
Butts is allowing all 10 players who were cut to try out for the team next year, giving them a chance to demonstrate that they've learned their lesson.
As for right now, none of the coaches who demanded a little more from his players should have any second thoughts about his decision. They all did the right thing.
Team comes first
“Once in a lifetime” is one description we heard for the Phillies World Series parade. And, indeed, thousands upon thousands of people used that as justification to attend the festivities, blowing off work, school or who knows what other commitments so they could be there in person.
For some high school athletes scheduled to play that Friday night, going to the parade or not going may have been a difficult decision. The PIAA has a rule that an athlete who misses school the day of a game can't play that night.
We don't think the choice should really be too hard for an athlete truly dedicated to his or her team. The team comes first, and if that means missing a so-called “once-in-a-lifetime” event, well, that's part of the sacrifice of being a team member.
Ten Hatboro-Horsham football players picked the parade over school that day, knowing that, under state rules, they would be ineligible for that night's game against Central Bucks West. But in their case, there was more than just the one game involved. Head coach Tom Butts had told all of his players that if they went to the parade, they would be kicked off the team. The 10 went anyway, and Butts followed through with his directive.
North Penn head coach Dick Beck told his players the same thing.
Good for them and every other coach who taught a valuable lesson that goes way beyond Xs and Os. This was a lesson about responsibility.
Any player or parent who thinks dismissal was too harsh a punishment simply doesn't get it. Respect for team rules is part of what makes a team a team. What Butts, Beck and other coaches decided about school attendance was hardly unreasonable.
Butts is allowing all 10 players who were cut to try out for the team next year, giving them a chance to demonstrate that they've learned their lesson.
As for right now, none of the coaches who demanded a little more from his players should have any second thoughts about his decision. They all did the right thing.
Borough Council Meeting Reminder
Morrisville council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St.
Agenda: consider approving preliminary 2009 budget, recreation advisory board and Morrisville Municipal Authority appointments, new police officer hiring, approving police contract, authorizing solicitor to prepare towing and deed registration ordinances; other business. 215-295-8181
Agenda: consider approving preliminary 2009 budget, recreation advisory board and Morrisville Municipal Authority appointments, new police officer hiring, approving police contract, authorizing solicitor to prepare towing and deed registration ordinances; other business. 215-295-8181
Sunday, November 16, 2008
PA Dropout Summit
State, Community Leaders Unite to Tackle Pennsylvania's High School Dropout Problem
Secretaries of Education, Labor & Industry Discuss Multi-faceted Approaches
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New strategies to keep students engaged in school and on track to earning a high school diploma were discussed today at a summit, hosted by the Rendell administration and community partners.
"It is our obligation as educators to ensure that all students finish high school with a diploma in hand," Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said. "A meaningful diploma is truly a ticket to success that helps our students become productive citizens."
Local elected officials, business leaders and prominent child advocacy organizations gathered at the Pennsylvania's Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement Summit to develop an action plan for increasing the state's high school graduation rate in order to ensure that Pennsylvania's young people are better prepared for college, work and life.
A report, commissioned by America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest alliance of organizations working on behalf of children and youth, found that only about half of all students served by the school systems in the nation's 50 largest cities graduate from high school. In Pennsylvania, approximately one-in-five (21 percent) 9th grade students do not graduate four years later. Nationwide, nearly one out of every three public high school students drops out before graduation. That's 1.2 million students each year, or nearly 7,000 each school day.
Pennsylvania's comprehensive approach to curbing dropouts has three main components: prevention, intervention and re-engagement.
Prevention efforts are aimed at helping at-risk children get off to a solid start through programs such as Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, state funding for Head Start and block grant funding for full-day kindergarten. The Department of Education also works closely with the Department of Public Welfare to administer early intervention programs to aid children with particular educational or developmental needs.
Intervention and re-engagement programs include tutoring, alternative education programs and a host of efforts to make high school more challenging and engaging for students.
These efforts include:
-- Classrooms for the Future, a three-year investment to provide laptop
computers, high-speed Internet access and state-of-the-art software to
high school classrooms across the state.
-- A Dual Enrollment program that allows high school students to take
college-level, credit-bearing courses at local community and four-year
colleges and universities while earning credit towards high school
graduation.
-- Project 720, named for the number of days a Pennsylvania student spends
in school from 9th through 12th grades. Project 720 ensures high school
students have access to rigorous academic coursework in core subjects,
provides additional Advanced Placement courses and offers smaller
learning environments for better student-teacher interaction.
-- A Resiliency/Wellness Approach, which is based upon six key
environmental protective factors or positive human development domains.
If these domains are strongly and well implemented in schools, they will
promote positive social and emotional development, and will support
student academic achievement.
All of these efforts are aimed at creating a more rigorous and relevant high school environment that keeps students engaged.
The summit is part of America's Promise Dropout Prevention Campaign, a national effort to reduce high school dropout rates and prepare children for college, work and life. The campaign includes a series of Dropout Prevention Summits that will be held in every state and 50 communities over the next two years.
The lead sponsor for the national campaign is the State Farm Insurance Company. State Farm is joined by AT&T, The Boeing Company, Casey Family Programs, Ford Motor Company Fund, ING Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit www.americaspromise.org.
Pennsylvania's summit is co-sponsored by the departments of Education, Labor & Industry, Health, and Public Welfare; the Governor's Commission for Children and Families; the Institute for Global Education & Service Learning; PennSERVE; Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children; Pennsylvania Statewide/Afterschool Youth Development Network; the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board; the Philadelphia Youth Network; Summit Health and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
For more information on Pennsylvania's summit, visit
www.center-school.org/americas_promise.php.
Secretaries of Education, Labor & Industry Discuss Multi-faceted Approaches
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New strategies to keep students engaged in school and on track to earning a high school diploma were discussed today at a summit, hosted by the Rendell administration and community partners.
"It is our obligation as educators to ensure that all students finish high school with a diploma in hand," Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said. "A meaningful diploma is truly a ticket to success that helps our students become productive citizens."
Local elected officials, business leaders and prominent child advocacy organizations gathered at the Pennsylvania's Dropout Prevention and Re-Engagement Summit to develop an action plan for increasing the state's high school graduation rate in order to ensure that Pennsylvania's young people are better prepared for college, work and life.
A report, commissioned by America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest alliance of organizations working on behalf of children and youth, found that only about half of all students served by the school systems in the nation's 50 largest cities graduate from high school. In Pennsylvania, approximately one-in-five (21 percent) 9th grade students do not graduate four years later. Nationwide, nearly one out of every three public high school students drops out before graduation. That's 1.2 million students each year, or nearly 7,000 each school day.
Pennsylvania's comprehensive approach to curbing dropouts has three main components: prevention, intervention and re-engagement.
Prevention efforts are aimed at helping at-risk children get off to a solid start through programs such as Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, state funding for Head Start and block grant funding for full-day kindergarten. The Department of Education also works closely with the Department of Public Welfare to administer early intervention programs to aid children with particular educational or developmental needs.
Intervention and re-engagement programs include tutoring, alternative education programs and a host of efforts to make high school more challenging and engaging for students.
These efforts include:
-- Classrooms for the Future, a three-year investment to provide laptop
computers, high-speed Internet access and state-of-the-art software to
high school classrooms across the state.
-- A Dual Enrollment program that allows high school students to take
college-level, credit-bearing courses at local community and four-year
colleges and universities while earning credit towards high school
graduation.
-- Project 720, named for the number of days a Pennsylvania student spends
in school from 9th through 12th grades. Project 720 ensures high school
students have access to rigorous academic coursework in core subjects,
provides additional Advanced Placement courses and offers smaller
learning environments for better student-teacher interaction.
-- A Resiliency/Wellness Approach, which is based upon six key
environmental protective factors or positive human development domains.
If these domains are strongly and well implemented in schools, they will
promote positive social and emotional development, and will support
student academic achievement.
All of these efforts are aimed at creating a more rigorous and relevant high school environment that keeps students engaged.
The summit is part of America's Promise Dropout Prevention Campaign, a national effort to reduce high school dropout rates and prepare children for college, work and life. The campaign includes a series of Dropout Prevention Summits that will be held in every state and 50 communities over the next two years.
The lead sponsor for the national campaign is the State Farm Insurance Company. State Farm is joined by AT&T, The Boeing Company, Casey Family Programs, Ford Motor Company Fund, ING Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit www.americaspromise.org.
Pennsylvania's summit is co-sponsored by the departments of Education, Labor & Industry, Health, and Public Welfare; the Governor's Commission for Children and Families; the Institute for Global Education & Service Learning; PennSERVE; Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children; Pennsylvania Statewide/Afterschool Youth Development Network; the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board; the Philadelphia Youth Network; Summit Health and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
For more information on Pennsylvania's summit, visit
www.center-school.org/americas_promise.php.
Getting relief from the tax man
From the BCCT
Getting relief from the tax man
Bucks County will likely lose a few million dollars because of lower assessments.
By JENNA PORTNOY
Because they appealed their assessments this year, 1,600 of your neighbors will pay lower property taxes.
In fact, 90 percent of Bucks County home and business owners who requested relief got it.
That’s good news for residents - who likes paying taxes? - but not so good for governments facing budget deficits.
All told, the assessment reductions amount to $86 million in taxable value that school districts, municipalities and the county can no longer rely on to generate revenue.
“The township managers meet each week,” said Gail Weniger of Warwick. “The topic is, ‘What are you doing with your budget?’ because that’s what everyone’s worried about right now.”
The reduction in assessments - the figures used to set taxes - is one factor that prompted Warwick to consider its first meaningful tax increase in years. Owners of homes assessed at the township average of $40,000 are expected to pay $80 more next year.
“We certainly have cut the nonessentials,” Weniger said. “We’re down to the bone at this point.”
On top of limiting capital spending, the township slashed budgets for seminars, non-emergency overtime, part timers and office equipment, hoping small-ticket items will add up.
“In another year, you would say, ‘Why would you cut that?’ “ she said. “But this year it all has to go.”
Thanks to new construction, however, the overall assessed value of property countywide was practically flat compared with the end of last year. Countywide assessments total about $8 billion and increased just threetenths of 1 percent. That slight bump is not enough to offset the rising cost of running government, including increases in fuel costs and union workers’ salaries, and the decreased revenue, such as real estate transfer taxes.
Warwick’s total assessed value ticked up a bit, too, by about onetenth of 1 percent. New Britain saw the biggest increase - about 4 percent - while Ivyland took the biggest hit with a decrease of 1 percent.
But even a net increase in total assessment value does not translate to smooth sailing for business administrators.
Bucks County will likely lose a few million dollars due to the reduced property assessments, said Brian Hessenthaler, director of finance and administration. He also expects more people will be unable to pay their taxes, so instead of a typical 98 percent collection rate, he’s projecting a delinquency rate of about 4 percent.
Preliminary budget numbers will not be released until Nov. 26, but he hopes to make up the shortfall. As always, departments should look for ways to be more efficient without sacrificing service and Hessenthaler might have to tap the county’s rainy day fund.
Not since 2000 have as many property owners requested relief. This year, 1,775 property owners filed appeals, which is more than three times as many as last year.
Reductions were also awarded at a higher rate than usual. The percentage of successful appeals topped 90 percent - the highest rate since 2002, the earliest year for which figures were readily available from the county.
The ratio was similar in Montgomery County, where 80 to 90 percent of residential appeals and 60 to 70 percent of commercial appeals resulted in reductions, said Assessment Appeals Board Chairman Dennis Sharkey.
It’s up to the counties’ Assessment Appeals Boards, whose three members are appointed by county commissioners, to rule on property owners’ requests for assessment changes. While residents generally want their assessments to go down, school districts also petition the board to increase assessments on commercial properties they feel should be paying higher taxes.
Every fall, county appraisers research cases and make recommendations to the board, which recently issued its rulings.
The down housing market and recessionary economy likely prompted this year’s rush of appeals in Bucks.
“We know what’s happening out in the marketplace,” said Jim Roberts, a Quakertown councilman and Assessment Appeals Board member in Bucks. “We understand that. They don’t have to feel on edge or nervous about asking.”
Few property owners think about their assessment until the tax bill arrives, Roberts noted. That’s when the assessed value of a property really matters and if it no longer reflects current market value residents could be paying too much.
Some residents in newer homes have argued their taxes subsidize the owners of older homes, whose property taxes are based on values set during the last countywide reassessment - in 1972.
Only new construction and significantly renovated homes get new assessments. State lawmakers have called for rolling reassessments - to be done at the time of sale - but the method is prohibited in Pennsylvania. Also illegal are spot assessments, which would let the county reassess all the homes in a development based on just a few successful appeals.
Appealing an assessment is relatively easy. Property owners present evidence of recently sold comparable homes - same style and same neighborhood - that prove an assessment is based on a disproportionately high market value. (An appeal form can be downloaded at www.buckscounty.org. The county will accept 2010 annual appeals from Jan. 1 through Aug. 1.)
The process worked for 100 homeowners in age-restricted developments.
Appraiser James Dougherty of Lower Makefield filed appeals on behalf of 33 residents of the Realen-built Flowers Mill community in Middletown. All will save at least $1,000 on their tax bills, he said.
In Northampton, Jean and Bill Brenner filed appeals for 67 of their neighbors at Toll Brothers’ Regency at Northampton. Again, all assessments went down, with the biggest reduction amounting to 24 percent, she said.
For example, the Brenners’ assessment was reduced by nearly $10,000 to $45,890; the corresponding market value is $504,286, which is lower than the previous $590,213, but not as low as the $480,000 the Brenners believe their home is worth.
If 2009 school, county and municipal tax rates stay the same, the Brenners will save about $1,300 on a tax bill of $7,568.
Getting relief from the tax man
Bucks County will likely lose a few million dollars because of lower assessments.
By JENNA PORTNOY
Because they appealed their assessments this year, 1,600 of your neighbors will pay lower property taxes.
In fact, 90 percent of Bucks County home and business owners who requested relief got it.
That’s good news for residents - who likes paying taxes? - but not so good for governments facing budget deficits.
All told, the assessment reductions amount to $86 million in taxable value that school districts, municipalities and the county can no longer rely on to generate revenue.
“The township managers meet each week,” said Gail Weniger of Warwick. “The topic is, ‘What are you doing with your budget?’ because that’s what everyone’s worried about right now.”
The reduction in assessments - the figures used to set taxes - is one factor that prompted Warwick to consider its first meaningful tax increase in years. Owners of homes assessed at the township average of $40,000 are expected to pay $80 more next year.
“We certainly have cut the nonessentials,” Weniger said. “We’re down to the bone at this point.”
On top of limiting capital spending, the township slashed budgets for seminars, non-emergency overtime, part timers and office equipment, hoping small-ticket items will add up.
“In another year, you would say, ‘Why would you cut that?’ “ she said. “But this year it all has to go.”
Thanks to new construction, however, the overall assessed value of property countywide was practically flat compared with the end of last year. Countywide assessments total about $8 billion and increased just threetenths of 1 percent. That slight bump is not enough to offset the rising cost of running government, including increases in fuel costs and union workers’ salaries, and the decreased revenue, such as real estate transfer taxes.
Warwick’s total assessed value ticked up a bit, too, by about onetenth of 1 percent. New Britain saw the biggest increase - about 4 percent - while Ivyland took the biggest hit with a decrease of 1 percent.
But even a net increase in total assessment value does not translate to smooth sailing for business administrators.
Bucks County will likely lose a few million dollars due to the reduced property assessments, said Brian Hessenthaler, director of finance and administration. He also expects more people will be unable to pay their taxes, so instead of a typical 98 percent collection rate, he’s projecting a delinquency rate of about 4 percent.
Preliminary budget numbers will not be released until Nov. 26, but he hopes to make up the shortfall. As always, departments should look for ways to be more efficient without sacrificing service and Hessenthaler might have to tap the county’s rainy day fund.
Not since 2000 have as many property owners requested relief. This year, 1,775 property owners filed appeals, which is more than three times as many as last year.
Reductions were also awarded at a higher rate than usual. The percentage of successful appeals topped 90 percent - the highest rate since 2002, the earliest year for which figures were readily available from the county.
The ratio was similar in Montgomery County, where 80 to 90 percent of residential appeals and 60 to 70 percent of commercial appeals resulted in reductions, said Assessment Appeals Board Chairman Dennis Sharkey.
It’s up to the counties’ Assessment Appeals Boards, whose three members are appointed by county commissioners, to rule on property owners’ requests for assessment changes. While residents generally want their assessments to go down, school districts also petition the board to increase assessments on commercial properties they feel should be paying higher taxes.
Every fall, county appraisers research cases and make recommendations to the board, which recently issued its rulings.
The down housing market and recessionary economy likely prompted this year’s rush of appeals in Bucks.
“We know what’s happening out in the marketplace,” said Jim Roberts, a Quakertown councilman and Assessment Appeals Board member in Bucks. “We understand that. They don’t have to feel on edge or nervous about asking.”
Few property owners think about their assessment until the tax bill arrives, Roberts noted. That’s when the assessed value of a property really matters and if it no longer reflects current market value residents could be paying too much.
Some residents in newer homes have argued their taxes subsidize the owners of older homes, whose property taxes are based on values set during the last countywide reassessment - in 1972.
Only new construction and significantly renovated homes get new assessments. State lawmakers have called for rolling reassessments - to be done at the time of sale - but the method is prohibited in Pennsylvania. Also illegal are spot assessments, which would let the county reassess all the homes in a development based on just a few successful appeals.
Appealing an assessment is relatively easy. Property owners present evidence of recently sold comparable homes - same style and same neighborhood - that prove an assessment is based on a disproportionately high market value. (An appeal form can be downloaded at www.buckscounty.org. The county will accept 2010 annual appeals from Jan. 1 through Aug. 1.)
The process worked for 100 homeowners in age-restricted developments.
Appraiser James Dougherty of Lower Makefield filed appeals on behalf of 33 residents of the Realen-built Flowers Mill community in Middletown. All will save at least $1,000 on their tax bills, he said.
In Northampton, Jean and Bill Brenner filed appeals for 67 of their neighbors at Toll Brothers’ Regency at Northampton. Again, all assessments went down, with the biggest reduction amounting to 24 percent, she said.
For example, the Brenners’ assessment was reduced by nearly $10,000 to $45,890; the corresponding market value is $504,286, which is lower than the previous $590,213, but not as low as the $480,000 the Brenners believe their home is worth.
If 2009 school, county and municipal tax rates stay the same, the Brenners will save about $1,300 on a tax bill of $7,568.
Micromanagement is a bad thing?
From the Charleston (WV) Daily Mail. "Board President micromanagement"... Hmmm...
State may be on the verge of taking over another school system
by Ry Rivard Friday November 14, 2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state may consider a takeover of the Randolph County school system after an audit found a laundry list of problems.
The cited problems include the county's decision to keep several hundred thousand dollars in an uninsured account, its persistently low test scores, its non-compliant hiring practices and a school board president attempting to micromanage the system.
Randolph County school officials say they are trying hard to correct the problems cited in the 151-page report by the state's Office of Education Performance Audits. They also said some things the county is written up for are not violations of state law or are simply not true.
County school administrators came to the state Board of Education meeting in Charleston this week to respond to some of the allegations in the report. Because of a technical error, many board members had yet to read the audit. So the board delayed taking any action until at least December.
"The worst thing is they can come over and take over Randolph County," said county school board president Ed Tyre.
The auditing team visited the county in late February and into March. When they came back in October to check progress, they found many problems remained uncorrected and discovered others. They found a series of personnel hiring, posting and transfer practices that were inconsistent with state requirements, financial problems, and deteriorating conditions at school facilities.
Among other financial problems, auditors found that the county left nearly $700,000 in uninsured bank accounts. Generally, the county treasurer or banks catch and correct such a situation.
The auditors also concluded that the school board, primarily board president Tyre, "is attempting to micromanage" the school system. Tyre "encourages persons with problems/issues to contact him rather than the central office." The auditors based that conclusion on interviews, documents and observations.
Tyre said the auditors attended only one board meeting.
"I do question things and the people elect me and I will question things," he said. "If they think I'm going to sit there and be a rubber stamp, they're crazy."
Tyre said he tells people with problems to use the chain of command. He also thinks he's been on the losing side of more votes than other board members.
The auditors think Superintendent Susan Hinzman does not advise or guide the board "in critical moments when leadership needs to be shown." They say Hinzman also failed to take actions to correct many of the school system's problems, though some "had just been taken or were being taken" during the week in October when the auditors came back to visit the county.
In general, the school system central office is "too loosely organized" to support school improvement, the report found.
The central office has seen some turnover in recent years, Tyre said.
The team also found:
# Only two of the four high schools offered Advanced Placement classes. When the auditors returned in October, the other two schools offered AP classes, but nobody was enrolled in them.
# Graduation rates decreased while dropout rates went up, though both met state standards. The report says that despite county board member concern about both, school system administrators did not prepare a plan to deal with the situations.
# The county listed the value of its land, buildings, equipment and vehicles in way that was not compliant with state education department standards, and that means the county did not properly safeguard its assets and increased the risk of loss.
# The county was unable to show it had competitively bid beverage and snack contracts or the $24,000 purchase of a van.
In general, the auditors found "no evidence of preventive maintenance" on school buildings by the county or individual schools.
Board president Tyre said the county has an $800,000 surplus and most of it will be set aside for maintenance.
Among problems the auditors found in Randolph County:
# The fire alarm system at Elkins High School was inoperable during the team's first visit.
# Stained ceiling tiles at Beverly Elementary. When auditors came back months later, crews had spray-painted the tiles and failed to fix the leaks. Ongoing roof leaks at Jennings Randolph Elementary were also not addressed.
# Lighting levels at George Ward Elementary were too low for reading. The county failed to submit a plan to correct that and other problems there, including poor temperature control and ventilation. When the team returned, it still found temperature and ventilation problems. The county said it would add windows to the poorly lit classroom.
# Elevated carbon dioxide levels at several schools.
# Several facilities did not have appropriate safety measures and provided unrestricted access by the public to their facilities.
The auditors also observed some errors that "could have a big impact" on how the county finds the most qualified applicant for a position.
The county administrator in charge of personnel is doing two full time jobs, the auditors found. Donna Simmons is both director of special education and the personnel administrator. The auditors said this was "unrealistic for two highly sensitive legal areas." She receives a $500 monthly pay supplement for handling personnel matters.
The report says Simmons was not trained to be personnel supervisor before taking on the duties in July, which was after the auditors' first visit.
Simmons says it's not unusual for a director of special education to have several responsibilities in the same county.
"It's very rare, unless you're in a larger county, that you have one person doing one job," she said.
State officials say the county has ongoing problems meeting standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind initiative, even though it has taken corrective measures for the past two years to bring up scores.
The county saw a decline on the statewide achievement test in three of six groups. The largest drop was a nearly 6 percent decline in math ability among elementary students.
It's not clear what the state might do. The agenda for the school board's Wednesday meeting called for some action on the accreditation status of the county, though it was not certain what the auditors would recommend. In the report, auditors concluded that conditions within the structure and operation of Randolph County "are not ordinary."
Principal David Roth of Elkins Middle School told the state board that the auditing report should be fundamentally about improving schools instead of "making a list of what is wrong." He said auditing "inevitably leads to demoralizing" those who need to improve and is not conducive to success.
State may be on the verge of taking over another school system
by Ry Rivard Friday November 14, 2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state may consider a takeover of the Randolph County school system after an audit found a laundry list of problems.
The cited problems include the county's decision to keep several hundred thousand dollars in an uninsured account, its persistently low test scores, its non-compliant hiring practices and a school board president attempting to micromanage the system.
Randolph County school officials say they are trying hard to correct the problems cited in the 151-page report by the state's Office of Education Performance Audits. They also said some things the county is written up for are not violations of state law or are simply not true.
County school administrators came to the state Board of Education meeting in Charleston this week to respond to some of the allegations in the report. Because of a technical error, many board members had yet to read the audit. So the board delayed taking any action until at least December.
"The worst thing is they can come over and take over Randolph County," said county school board president Ed Tyre.
The auditing team visited the county in late February and into March. When they came back in October to check progress, they found many problems remained uncorrected and discovered others. They found a series of personnel hiring, posting and transfer practices that were inconsistent with state requirements, financial problems, and deteriorating conditions at school facilities.
Among other financial problems, auditors found that the county left nearly $700,000 in uninsured bank accounts. Generally, the county treasurer or banks catch and correct such a situation.
The auditors also concluded that the school board, primarily board president Tyre, "is attempting to micromanage" the school system. Tyre "encourages persons with problems/issues to contact him rather than the central office." The auditors based that conclusion on interviews, documents and observations.
Tyre said the auditors attended only one board meeting.
"I do question things and the people elect me and I will question things," he said. "If they think I'm going to sit there and be a rubber stamp, they're crazy."
Tyre said he tells people with problems to use the chain of command. He also thinks he's been on the losing side of more votes than other board members.
The auditors think Superintendent Susan Hinzman does not advise or guide the board "in critical moments when leadership needs to be shown." They say Hinzman also failed to take actions to correct many of the school system's problems, though some "had just been taken or were being taken" during the week in October when the auditors came back to visit the county.
In general, the school system central office is "too loosely organized" to support school improvement, the report found.
The central office has seen some turnover in recent years, Tyre said.
The team also found:
# Only two of the four high schools offered Advanced Placement classes. When the auditors returned in October, the other two schools offered AP classes, but nobody was enrolled in them.
# Graduation rates decreased while dropout rates went up, though both met state standards. The report says that despite county board member concern about both, school system administrators did not prepare a plan to deal with the situations.
# The county listed the value of its land, buildings, equipment and vehicles in way that was not compliant with state education department standards, and that means the county did not properly safeguard its assets and increased the risk of loss.
# The county was unable to show it had competitively bid beverage and snack contracts or the $24,000 purchase of a van.
In general, the auditors found "no evidence of preventive maintenance" on school buildings by the county or individual schools.
Board president Tyre said the county has an $800,000 surplus and most of it will be set aside for maintenance.
Among problems the auditors found in Randolph County:
# The fire alarm system at Elkins High School was inoperable during the team's first visit.
# Stained ceiling tiles at Beverly Elementary. When auditors came back months later, crews had spray-painted the tiles and failed to fix the leaks. Ongoing roof leaks at Jennings Randolph Elementary were also not addressed.
# Lighting levels at George Ward Elementary were too low for reading. The county failed to submit a plan to correct that and other problems there, including poor temperature control and ventilation. When the team returned, it still found temperature and ventilation problems. The county said it would add windows to the poorly lit classroom.
# Elevated carbon dioxide levels at several schools.
# Several facilities did not have appropriate safety measures and provided unrestricted access by the public to their facilities.
The auditors also observed some errors that "could have a big impact" on how the county finds the most qualified applicant for a position.
The county administrator in charge of personnel is doing two full time jobs, the auditors found. Donna Simmons is both director of special education and the personnel administrator. The auditors said this was "unrealistic for two highly sensitive legal areas." She receives a $500 monthly pay supplement for handling personnel matters.
The report says Simmons was not trained to be personnel supervisor before taking on the duties in July, which was after the auditors' first visit.
Simmons says it's not unusual for a director of special education to have several responsibilities in the same county.
"It's very rare, unless you're in a larger county, that you have one person doing one job," she said.
State officials say the county has ongoing problems meeting standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind initiative, even though it has taken corrective measures for the past two years to bring up scores.
The county saw a decline on the statewide achievement test in three of six groups. The largest drop was a nearly 6 percent decline in math ability among elementary students.
It's not clear what the state might do. The agenda for the school board's Wednesday meeting called for some action on the accreditation status of the county, though it was not certain what the auditors would recommend. In the report, auditors concluded that conditions within the structure and operation of Randolph County "are not ordinary."
Principal David Roth of Elkins Middle School told the state board that the auditing report should be fundamentally about improving schools instead of "making a list of what is wrong." He said auditing "inevitably leads to demoralizing" those who need to improve and is not conducive to success.
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