http://128.118.93.6/downloads/flashvid/kelseytax/kelseytax.swf On-line video of the tax background presentation from the forums (26 minutes long) Flash format

https://streaming.psu.edu/media/?movieId=6435 On-line video of the tax background presentation from the forums (26 minutes long) Quicktime streaming file

Publications and Info Websites

Research Brief - Tax Fairness: What Does it Mean?

Research Brief - What is a Good Balance of Local Taxes?

Research Brief - Who Pays for County Government?

Research Brief - Which Taxes Can Counties Use?

Research Brief - What is the Role of Spending Controls?

Pennsylvania Local Taxes - Tax Reform Information Developed by Penn State Cooperative Extension

Understanding the Taxpayer Relief Act: Act 1 of Special Session 2005-2006. Discusses basic questions about Act 1 and its potential impact on taxpayers and school districts.

Understanding the Homestead and Farmstead Exclusions. Introduction to the homestead and farmstead exclusions, which were authorized for counties, municipalities, and school districts by Act 50 of 1998.

Reassessment: What Homeowners Need to Know. Basic introduction to reassessment. Discusses how reassessment can affect your taxes.

The BluePrint for Local Tax Fairness A proposal for local tax reform

Taxation Manual: PA Department of Community and Economic Development's document describing specific taxes and taxation in Pennsylvania, including court cases and legal interpretations.

PA Department of Education "Costing Out" Study, detailing the potential cost for each school district to meet academic performance expectations. It includes discussion about the equity of local taxation in Pennsylvania.

Tax Information About Your Community

Municipal and county government spending & revenues - Annual information for 1998 through 2004 from local audit reports filed annually with the Commonwealth, and collated by the Governor's Center for Local Government Services.

Municipal and county government spending & revenues - Annual information for 1986 through 1997 from local audit reports filed annually with the Commonwealth, and collated by the Governor's Center for Local Government Services.

Local government and school tax rates - official register from the Governor's Center for Local Government

Basic assessment information, by county - Collected by the State Tax Equalization Board

Taxbase breakdown by land types - Gives detailed information about the composition of the local real property tax base, as collected by the PA State Tax Equalization Board from county tax assessment offices.  To get this information from the site, you MUST check-mark the 'County's Assessed Values' radio button, and select a specific county and year;

For more information:

Local Government Financial Statistics from the Governors Center for Local Government Services - Township, borough, city & county expenditures and revenues, by category. Includes tax rate information. Based on local audit reports filed annually with the Commonwealth.

Local Government/School Associations

County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
PA League of Cities and Municipalities
PA State Association of Boroughs
PA State Association of Township Supervisors
PA State School Boards Association
PA Association of School Administrators
PA State Education Association

Pennsylvania Taxpayer Groups

Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition

If you know of other Pennsylvania taxpayer groups, please let US know so I can add them to this list.