Common Ground-USA Sends Letter of Support
to the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission Chairman

Nadine Stoner

[Reprinted from GroundSwell, 2003]

GroundSwell was informed by Bruno Moser, Assistant Philadelphia City Controller that the findings of the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission are now available online. The Interim Report was released October 15, 2003 after the TRC voted 14-1 to support the comprehensive package of tax reduction and reform to be implemented between now and 2014. (See May-June 2003 GroundSwell, "Philadelphia City Councilors Held Hearing on Land Value Taxation." At Moser's request, all the members and staff of the Philadelphia TRC, as well as all Philadelphia City Council members and the Mayor and mayor candidate were sent complimentary copies of the May- June 2003 GroundSwell summarizing the 200+ page transcript of the April 29 hearing before the Philadelphia City Council as a whole on the land value tax.) The next immediate step for the TRC is preparation of its formal report--and then to work with groups in the City, the region, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to secure the adoption of the recommenations over time.

In asking for a letter of support from Common Ground-USA, Moser stressed that it is important that the comprehensive package be supported, not just the 2-rate tax element. On October 24, 2003 a letter of support was faxed (# 215-686-2123) on Common Ground-USA letterhead, signed by Pres. Nadine Stoner, as follows:

Edward A. Schwartz, Chairman
Tax Reform Commission
City of Philadelphia
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1440
Philadelphia PA 19102

Dear Chairman Schwartz:

This letter is to express the support of Common Ground-USA for the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission's recommendations outlined in the Commission's comprehensive Interim Report dated October 15, 2003. Common Ground-USA has members nation-wide, including Philadelphia, and even held our annual Board of Directors meeting in Philadelphia in 1989.

We commend the Commission for the recommendation to phase in land value taxation so that, at the end of ten years, 50% of all real estate tax revenues will be generated from a tax on the value of land and 50% from a tax on the value of structures. (Common Ground-USA members, like myself, who live in states where an amendment to our state constitution's Uniformity clause would be needed, are envious of Pennsylvanians' ability to forge ahead with land value tax implementation.)

We commend the Commission for the recommendations of comprehensive assessment reform, to assure fairness to all property owners and property tax payers.

We further commend the Commission for its recommendations to continue reduction of Philadelphia's counterproductive gross receipts tax on business and city wage tax.

The Commission's thorough research and recommended total package comprehensively address all three of your group's initial charges; decreasing tax burdens, promoting fairness and equity, and improving Philadelphia's competitiveness.

Common Ground-USA, which for over a decade has been following Philadelphia's efforts toward tax reform, strongly encourages Philadelphia's elected officials to enact your Commission's proposal as soon as your final report and companion legislation are placed before them.