Event Highlights

Silver Lining in Act One

When Act One passed the General Assembly last year, it required a property tax referendum on the May primary ballot. CPAs recognized that this had the potential to increase the intensity of the colossal headache known as local income tax collection. As it turns out, before the Act One referendum failed in most Pennsylvania districts, it had become an opportunity for CPAs to share their knowledge of local taxation, increase the visibility of their expertise in the community, and build relations with legislators and other key groups.

PICPA members regularly address local tax issues, many of whom worked to develop educational programs and resources for other members, legislators, school boards, media, and taxpayers. The Pittsburgh Chapter developed a CPE program and conducted a two-hour session right before the election to provide members with the facts needed to advise their clients. Another component of this effort was a nonpartisan fact sheet, “Property Tax Reduction: Understanding the Question on the May Ballot.” This sheet was downloaded more than 2,000 times and mailed to countless taxpayers.

• Legislators: Peter Calcara, vice president of PICPA’s Government Relations Team, reported that many legislators expressed their appreciation of our efforts in developing the fact sheet. They valued this resource, and directed their constituents and staff to the fact sheet to answer questions prior to the election.
• School Boards: The bulk of the work and research relating to the development and implementation of a referendum fell upon local school boards. We reached out to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and with their help distributed the fact sheet, along with the promise of a CPA speaker, to the 502 school boards in Pennsylvania. This was not sent to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Scranton, because those districts were exempt from referendum and tax-shift proposal.
• Media: We sent a general news release to more than 100 papers across the state, highlighting the key issues and promoting the availability of the fact sheet. In addition, we worked with the Pennsylvania Newspapers Association and conducted reporter-specific programs in King of Prussia and Harrisburg. In Pittsburgh, reporters were invited to attend the CPE program developed for members. In total, 39 reporters attended the programs in the three locations, and many followed up with questions to CPA presenters after the event. In Pittsburgh, a reporter from KQV-radio came with microphone in hand to capture a sound bite from chapter president Scott Myers. In Philadelphia, David Caplan appeared on Comcast Newsmakers to discuss why Act 1 failed. This segment will run periodically in the Greater Philadelphia region on the CNN Headline News station from June 13 through June 19.

The active involvement of PICPA volunteers in this project advanced the PICPA’s goal to enhance the CPA profession’s reputation as committed to serving the public interest. Congratulations to the following PICPA members who helped make that happen:

• David Caplan, led the development of the fact sheet, presented at two PNA events, and traveled more than 200 miles to participate in the Wellsboro Area School District meeting.
• Matt Melinson served as a discussion leader with Dave at the King of Prussia event, and provided insight into the development of the fact sheet.
• Cheri Freeh and Bob Hornick reviewed the fact sheet in its developmental stages.

The Pittsburgh Chapter Local Taxation and Government Committee also deserves acknowledgement for their efforts involving the CPE program, especially Deb Ries, chair; Jeff Spengler, event chair of the two-hour program; and members who welcomed the reporters to the event, including Paula Hasbach, Paul Block, Chuck Potter, Jim Weaver, and Scott Myers.