As the Pennsylvania primary election approaches and we continue to grapple with the ongoing effects of COVID-19, it’s important to remember that your votes continue to matter. Elections are essential to the democratic process. Not only is 2020 a presidential election year, but there are other critical races, including U.S. Congress, statewide offices, and the state legislature.

Advocating on your behalf is usually an in-person endeavor, but our new world with a pandemic has complicated matters. The PICPA mustered an all-hands-on-deck effort to get and provide information from and to state officials and regulators. These efforts would not have been so well received if not for all our members who made a CPA-PAC contribution in 2019.

At this time of year, the PICPA government relations team usually is humming along preparing for PICPA’s annual Day on the Hill event. We had been contemplating changes to this annual gathering, but with the COVID-19 pandemic it seems our hand has been forced. It’s time to pursue new paths forward in advocacy.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed House Bill 1232, which amends the Fiscal Code and temporarily authorizes the Department of Revenue to extend tax filing and payment deadlines. The PICPA has spoken with state legislators about the need for consistency across taxing bodies and levels, and this legislation provides much needed clarification.

Most public policy issues get addressed in some form or fashion, while others never seem to get resolved. Pennsylvania school property tax reform is one of those issues that hangs around year after year. Believe it or not, progress is being made on this front.