Mar 19, 2016 1 min read

On Jan 30 1683, William Penn and 13 members of the Provincial Council unanimously voted for Pennsylvania to use a property tax with a fixed rate on every pound of clear value of real property. Complaints were made by those receiving the first tax notices.

Some 330 years later, local government officials are still wrestling with assessments to effectively, efficiently and equitably administer the real property tax. Of the 50 states, Pennsylvania is one of nine to decentralize the property tax assessment process to local governments. As tax historian Glenn Fischer once said, the property tax is the “worst tax.” Property owners do not like it, and local governments know this, but the tax must be enforced to provide revenues for services we enjoy. Yes, included is “free education” for our children.

There will never be enough tears shed to do away with taxation. We just have to learn how to better read the tea leaves than they did in 1683. How better can we pay for life’s necessities than by taxation?

Joann Diesel

Washington