May. 13, 2026
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) announced he is introducing legislation that would protect Pennsylvania property owners from unexpected spikes in school property tax increases.
Heffley, who broadly opposes property taxes, says he will introduce the bill after a situation in Banks Township and Beaver Meadows in Carbon County where a major investment in a single facility, combined with an antiquated rebalancing formula, led to a proposed 70% increase in school district tax bills, blindsiding residents and school officials.
“I find that increase illogical and indefensible,” Heffley said. “There is no need for residents to suffer from such an abrupt and disproportionate tax. This is an unintended consequence from economic development and one that should not fall so heavily on working families.”
Heffley’s legislation would specifically apply to school districts that cover more than one county. It would cap how much their tax rates can be adjusted in a given year, limiting increases to the Act 1 Index, which is the state set maximum percentage that a school district can raise taxes each year without voter approval.
School districts would still be able to raise taxes when necessary, but they would do so in a more predictable way.
“Economic development is a win for our local communities, but residents shouldn’t have to fear sudden, massive tax increases because of it,” Heffley said. “This will be a common-sense solution that rewards economic investment without punishing the neighbors it leaves behind.”
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717.772.9905
aforgotch@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com / Facebook.com/RepHeffley