Referendum to appear on May 15 primary ballot

There will be a ballot referendum on Tuesday, May 15. The voters are being asked if they want a .6 percent increase in the Earned Income Tax which would reduce school property taxes. Voters will be asked to vote YES or NO on ACT 1. Voting NO would mean no reduction in school property taxes. Voting YES would mean that property owners would see a reduction in their school property taxes. It is a tax shift, but a fair step in the right direction.

The ballot question on May 15, as part of ACT 1, concerns whether more of the school tax should shift from property tax to earned income tax. Senior citizens and mid- to lowincome property owners would benefit the most. Approximately 85 percent of Antrim Township homes are owned, not rented.

My research leads me to believe the Greencastle-Antrim School Board wants school tax to come from property taxes because property taxes are stable where income may not be. This ensures an easy tax base regardless of the ability of taxpayers to pay or the fairness of the system. For example, many senior citizens' property value far outweighs their income. Tax based on income is a more fair tax than tax based on property value.

School boards, by state law, are not allowed to spend any money to influence voters concerning this referendum. If you vote NO on this referendum, I hope you are satisfied with the amount of school tax you pay. A YES vote, while not enough tax reform, would still be a message that taxpayers want reform (and more of it) and more fair taxation. I believe a YES vote would be a step in the right direction. If, on the other hand, you want to send a message to Harrisburg and the school board that you are happy with school taxes the way they are then vote NO on the ballot referendum.

Michele Emmett

Greencastle