State House Adopts HR350
Stuck in Harrisburg in absence of a budget deal, lawmakers took up a host of Bills and Resolutions today at the state capitol. Among them was House Resolution 350 which was drafted in part by CAI.
The resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of common interest ownership communities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to studying infrastructure, taxes, etc., the study would also count and catalogue the number of community associations in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The data from this study, which we believe will be the first of its kind in the nation, will be invaluable to CAI as we continue to address the issues most important to community associations and residents who live in them.
CAI thanks Representative John Siptroth, (D-189, Monroe and Pike Counties) for his efforts to draft and pass this resolution.
For the full text of the resolution, please visit the legislative page of our website.
Please enjoy the July4th Holiday weekend!
Is this something tax payers really need our representatives wasting their time on when there is no budget in place? Shouldn’t our government be focused on real issues rather than wasting the resources to investigate HOA’s.
Thanks CAI
Comment by Brian Patterson — July 2, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
Thanks for the comment Brian. The resolution that was adopted is the first step in a long process that CAI is undertaking to attempt to bring some relief to homeowners living in condo and homeowner associations in Pennsylvania. In a nutshell, owners in association-governed communities pay the same level of municipal taxes as homeowners who do not live in association governed communities, yet they receive fewer public services in many cases, including street maintenance, and municipal refuse collection, to name a few. This is an injustice that CAI is working to address on behalf of the estimated 3 million Pennsylvania taxpayers who live in association-governed communities.
Comment by Tony Campisi — July 6, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
Can the Census Bureau be of some assistance in gathering data about HOA’s in each county?
Can you tell me who, in each of the HOA’s, will be responsible for submitting the information requested? My concern is for the accuracy of the information submitted.
I am in support of your efforts and agree we do not get the benefit from out taxes. County and local recycling taxes, local police protection ( territorial,jurisdiction battles between local, state police and some community security forces depending on the size of the HOA), snowplowing/cindering/salting issues.
Comment by Chet Varner — July 8, 2009 @ 11:28 pm
Chet – our national office has been referred to Congressman Kanjorski’s office regarding potential involvement with the 2010 national census. Congressman Kanjorski sits on the committee that oversees the census. In terms of who will be submitting info to the state on behalf of each community, this format and approach of this study is being worked out now with the commission and CAI will provide more info as it becomes available.
Comment by Tony Campisi — July 9, 2009 @ 7:52 am
Can you tell me as a senior citizen on a fixed income, who pays no State taxes, what good does a deduction of 70% of road fees do for me?
Comment by Anthony Aviles — July 23, 2009 @ 2:20 pm