STOP Group Gains Ground
(Continued from Page A 1)
led by Sen. Sean Logan (D-45),
introduced a bill based on the
STOP proposal to eliminate
property tax for homeowners.
The legislation calls for a 1.55
percent increase in the state’s in
come tax, a 1 percent increase in
sales and use tax, and a 2 percent
increase in real estate transfer tax
to help make up for the $6.2 bil
lion collected annually in home
property taxes in Pennsylvania.
Savings gained by cutting the
current property tax system’s ad
ministrative costs would also con
tribute.
“STOP brought a reasonable,
realistic plan for eliminating the
property tax in Pennsylvania,”
Logan said.
The plan is aimed at “eliminat
ing, not reducing,” the property
tax, he noted, differentiating be
tween the STOP proposal and
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crease from 2.8 percent to 4.35
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areas of the state would rise to 7
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STOP members live mainly in
the western part of the state.
They say property taxes are forc
ing some Pennsylvanians off their
properties, especially elderly resi
dents on fixed incomes.
Many STOP members come
from the Pittsburgh area (Alle
gheny County), where recent
property tax reassessments
prompted homeowners to take
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Bob Logue, a Pittsburgh-area
radio personality, heads the
STOP group.
“The property tax is harmful
to Pennsylvania,” Logue said at
the press conference Tuesday at
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the Capitol where the legislation
was introduced.
Logue and about 10 STOP
members joined Sen. Logan and
other members of Congress at the
unveiling of the legislation,
known as Senate Bill 717.
Pointing out that groceries,
clothing, and medicines are not
taxed in the state, Logue wonder
ed why Pennsylvania continues
to tax another basic need shel
ter.
According to Sen. Logan,
whose district covers parts of Al
legheny and Westmoreland coun
ties, potential benefits of SB 717
include savings of $61.3 million
of property tax rebates from the
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Pro
gram.
Those savings would allow
71,000 more seniors to qualify for
PACE, the state’s prescription
drug program, Logan said.
Commercial and industrial
properties would continue to be
taxed under the new bill an an
nual revenue of $3.1 billion.
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Bob Logue is joined by other STOP members at the in
troduction of a new Senate Bill to eliminate the Pennsyl
vania property tax.
For farm owners, that means
the commercial part of their op
eration would still be subject to
property tax, but the homestead
itself would no longer be taxed.
Senators co-sponsoring the bill
include Jack Wagner (D-Alle
gheny), Jane Clare Orie (R-Alle
gheny, Butler, Westmoreland),
Gerald LaValle (D-Beaver, Law
rence), Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Alle
gheny), Richard Kasunic (D-
Fayette, Somerset, Washington,
Wolff Confirmed As Ag Secretary
and the department staff, the Pennsylvania Department of Agricul
ture (PDA) will continue to further the interests of Pennsylvania agri
culture.
In cooperation with Governor Rendell’s Plan for a New Pennsylva
nia, Wolff intends to invest in educational initiatives and economic
development programs.
“Under my watch, I will work to enhance the profitability of the
farm whether the farm is small, medium, or large and to ensure
that agricultural entities have access to the economic development
programs of the commonwealth, just as other businesses have,” Wolff
said. “Agriculture is a business without walls, but it is every bit a busi
ness.”
Lancaster Farming spoke with Wolff about the confirmation
Wednesday afternoon. According to Wolff, Gov. Rendell’s proposals,
scheduled to be in place by the end of the fiscal year (end of June), call
for a property tax break for farmers of about 30 percent, Wolff noted.
Wolff also pointed to the business loan programs available to fanners.
Regarding the initiatives in place for dairy Cooperatives Working
Together (CWT), Wolff noted that PDA remains “supportive of that
concept, and we will help however we can,” he said. Wolff noted the
dairy industry in the self-help program remains “in their own hands.”
With tough economic times, we must continue to “live within our
means, operate more efficiently, and get the most out of every dollar
we spend,” he said. In light of the budget crunch
felt at the state university level, PDA understands
the implications but continues to “appreciate the
Extension Service and how critical it is to the
farmers of Pennsylvania.”
Wolff told Lancaster Farming that a new
Farm Show executive director may be appointed
within the next week as they continue to review
candidates from a variety of backgrounds, he
noted.
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Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 10, 2003-A3l
and Westmoreland), John Woz
niak (D-Cambria, Clearfield,
Somerset, and Westmoreland),
Anthony Williams (D-Delaware,
Philadelphia), and Don White
(R-Armstrong, Indiana, Jeffer
son, Westmoreland).
Rep. Marc Gergely (D-Alle
gheny) was also on hand at the
press conference to announce his
plan to introduce similar legisla
tion in the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives.
(Continued from Page A 1)
Wolff also said that he will work with the edu
cation community to enhance the awareness of the
next generation about current farm practices and
the viability of agriculture to all communities.
“In addition, I want to build strong partner
ships with government to ensure that Pennsylva
nia agriculture can continue to grow and meet the
demands of the consumers,” Wolff said.
Wolff is involved in agriculture on and off the
farm. As owner of Pen-Col Farms in Columbia
County, a 600-acre, 500-head Holstein dairy cattle
operation, Wolff has specialized in purebred Hol
stein genetics. To aid in the development of the in
ternational market for dairy genetics, Wolff has
entered into joint ventures in Wisconsin and the
United Kingdom.
Wolff has used his expertise in many forms. He
has served as a member of the state USDA/Farm
Service Agency, the World Trade Organization,
and the Pennsylvania Animal Health and Diag
nostic Commission. He also was on cooperative
boards of directors and the Pennsylvania Dairy
Stakeholders. Wolff also serves on the Penn State
University Board of Trustees and is involved in
many community organizations.
Wolff is known around the world for his agri
culture work. In 1994, he was recognized as Mas
ter Farmer. He acted as a representative in confer
ences in New Zealand, Australia, Chile,
Argentina, and Canada, and received the Leader
ship Central Penn Award.
Pennsylvania’s 59,000 farm families continue to
keep agriculture a leading economic enterprise in
the commonwealth. With more than $4 billion in
cash receipts, Keystone farmers and agribusinesses
9l so the jejdipg agricultural producers in the