Rep. Pickett takes exception to remarks on Towanda's property-tax issue

BY JAMES LOEWENSTEIN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: January 6, 2010

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State Rep. Tina Pickett on Tuesday took exception to comments made by Towanda Borough Councilman William Kovalcin Jr., who had said that Pickett "almost didn't care" about the issue of the large amount of tax-exempt property in Towanda Borough.

Pickett said she does care about the issue. However, the legislation that Kovalcin wanted to see passed that would address the issue does not does not have a realistic chance of passing at this time, because it would spend $250 million annually from the state's General Fund at a time when the state's revenues are low and still falling, Pickett said.

Kovalcin's comments came during Monday's Towanda Borough Council meeting, when the council was discussing how the large amount of tax-exempt property in Towanda Borough has increased the tax burden on the borough's residents.

Kovalcin said during the meeting that he had spoken to Pickett about the matter, but that Pickett "almost didn't care."

"She more or less didn't want to hear it," Kovalcin said.

Kovalcin's discussion with Pickett, which took place in September, revolved around a bill that would provide revenue from a state liquor tax to municipalities that have a large amount of tax-exempt property, according to Pickett and Kovalcin. The bill would offset the loss of property-tax revenue that has resulted from the tax-exempt property.

The bill did not pass during the last session of the Legislature, due to the state government's serious financial problems, she said.

The bill "got out of committee, but it went no further," she said.

And the bill has not been reintroduced during the current legislative session, probably because it doesn't have a realistic chance of passing at this time, Pickett said.

"The state's revenues are still falling," Pickett said on Tuesday. During the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, the state's revenues are about $270 million less than they had been anticipated to be, she said.

"It's really not very likely that the state will be able to do this (pass the bill) at this time," she said.

James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or e-mail: jloewenstein@thedailyreview.com.

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Sue- I fail to see your point. There are numerous service agencies in the courthouse itself, more in the adjacent courthouse annex and still more in the Human Service's and Dept. of Labor offices directly across the street from the courthouse. They are bringing Judge Clark's office down from a less than ideal location on 4th St. to a more central location downtown. Where would you have them go? How much more centrally located can you be?

As to Towanda Borough complaining about revenue, Ben Dare is right. The Borough makes a lot of money off the county employees. In addition to the $52, if you want a parking space, it is $186 a year or face parking fines. County employees also eat meals and purchase items from boro merchants. The complaint is a sign of typical Towanda Borough arrogance.

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PatrickHenry, 01/07/10 10:46

I'm not sure this issue is within Tina Pickett's area of responsibility. And why would she fit to respond to this issue when she stays silent on so many other issues, particularly related to the gas industry, water issues, and the severance tax, that her constituents keep asking her about?

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strange to me, 01/06/10 11:38

Absolutely the county should be doing something. Consolidating the agencies in a central location for starters. There are several large, empty buildings which could be used for this purpose throughout the county. Bradford County services, rightly or wrongly, are often viewed as only serving Towanda. To be fiscally responsible, the county government must take appropriate action regarding tax exemptions.

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Sue A, 01/06/10 9:48

Matthew, Towanda is fairly centrally located in the county and it's the county seat. What would you relocate, and where to?

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wondering, 01/06/10 9:13

Matthew, remember that Towanda Borough collects $52.00 in tax from every county employee that works in the Borough. I am sure they don't want the County to move out of the Borough.

Also, I am sure that you would be happy to be told that after driving to Towanda to visit one office, that you would have to drive to Canton to visit another

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Ben Dare, 01/06/10 9:13

"The state's revenues are still falling," Pickett said on Tuesday.

But the salary and benefits of our beloved Representative Pickett are not falling.

What is the Commonwealth doing with all the tax revenue collected from the Gas Leases that many Bradford County residents have signed in the last year? Just how much will the Commonwealth collect from those checks issued to the Friendsville group in mid December? Poor Tina, actually having to defend herself in the press.

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Pam East, 01/06/10 9:09

Shouldn't the county be doing something about the large amount of tax exempt properties in towanda borough? Is there a reason why all the county agencies have to be clustered there? Many of these agencies should be scattered throughout the county where the citizens they provide services to are located.

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Matthew, 01/06/10 4:24

Rep. Pickett takes exception to remarks on Towanda's property-tax issue

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