State Sen. Mario Scavello has once again introduced two measures to provide much-needed school property tax relief for Pennsylvania senior citizens.

“Property taxes continue to rise at an alarming rate and senior citizens are among our most vulnerable populations, given that they are on fixed incomes,” Scavello said. No tax should have the power to leave you homeless, and no citizen should be forced to choose between paying for food, medicine or their school property tax bill.”

Senate Bill 590 would provide a property tax rebate of up to $5,000 for all seniors age 65 and older who have an annual household income of $60,000 or less. This legislation expands upon the existing Property Tax Rent Rebate Program.

To fund this tax relief, Senate Bill 591 provides for a one-half percent increase in the sales and use tax. This legislation does not expand the sales and use tax to other items - all currently taxable items would remain the same.

Scavello sponsored similar legislation in the previous session and has fought for the complete elimination of school property taxes.

“I will continue to fight for total elimination of school property taxes. Implementation of this legislation is a necessary step in confronting the property tax structure that has afflicted us with years of escalating home foreclosures and rising tax bills across the commonwealth,” Scavello said.