DV Journal

When we consider what drives prosperity in America, one factor stands above the rest: energy production. President Donald Trump seems to understand this fact, as his agenda prioritizes tapping into our nation’s vast energy resources. Doing so will not only create jobs, it will also help the U.S. remain strong and self-sufficient on the global stage.

As a state representative from Washington County, I want to unleash the full potential of oil and gas production available to us right here in Pennsylvania. But there’s a hurdle in our way. A tax change made under President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is constraining our independent oil and gas producers and holding back good-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians.

Independent energy producers are the backbone of America’s energy economy, accounting for the majority of domestic production. Yet currently, our tax code treats them unfairly. In most capital-intensive industries, businesses can immediately deduct the costs of doing business, giving them more capital to reinvest in growth and operations. But thanks to a Biden-era provision, independent oil and gas producers now have to wait years to make deductions for their intangible drilling costs (IDCs).

Despite their name, IDCs are hardly “intangible.” They make up as much as 80 percent of the cost of drilling a new well. IDCs include expenses such as wages, equipment repairs, and services required to explore and drill for oil and gas. They represent real work being done by real people – roughnecks, derrickmen, long operators – out in the field. These jobs are the beating heart of Pennsylvania’s energy economy.

Delaying these deductions means producers have less capital on hand – capital they need to keep drilling and developing new wells. That’s a serious problem, because even the most productive wells decline rapidly, dropping up to 50 percent in output after just one year, and an additional 30 percent after two years. That means producers must constantly reinvest in new drilling to maintain supply and stay competitive. Under Biden’s IRA, that’s getting harder to do.

If we want to preserve good-paying jobs for Pennsylvania workers and unlock more of our domestic energy potential, we have to fix this. Restoring full, immediate deductibility of IDCs would put independent producers on equal footing with other industries and give them the tools they need to thrive.

Congress has the opportunity to act. The Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act (H.R. 662/S.224) would correct this mistake and bring fairness back to the tax code. I urge lawmakers – especially the Pennsylvania congressional delegation – to take a leadership role in advancing this bill as part of the current budget reconciliation process.

By passing this legislation, we can support Pennsylvania jobs, strengthen America’s energy independence, and advance President Trump’s America First energy agenda.

It’s Tax Day, folks. And as usual, Pennsylvanians are doing more than our fair share.

Pennsylvania has the fifth-highest overall tax burden in the country, and it ranks eighth in federal taxes paid.

So far this fiscal year, Americans have paid more than $1.1 trillion in personal income taxes, just over half of the federal government’s total revenue.

The Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank, also came up with bleak numbers for taxpayers.

“Tax Day 2025 looks quite gloomy for Pennsylvanians. A proposed $4.8 billion budget deficit looms as the state’s budget negotiations ramp up in the Capitol. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania taxpayers, this budget deficit has a cost—a $1,900 tax hike per family of four,” said policy analyst Andrew Holman.

“Despite widespread calls to boost Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness, little has been done to move the needle. Pennsylvania remains one of the most oppressive states for taxpayers, ranking 28th in state-local tax burden. This, combined with excessive spending, a growing deficit, and heavy regulation (Pennsylvania is the 14th most regulated state in the nation), has put chains over Pennsylvania’s ability to reach its potential as an economic powerhouse.

“Pennsylvania’s tax environment continues to repel workers and businesses alike. Population loss remains a plight for the Keystone State, given net out-migration in 14 of the past 15 years and projections of the state’s working-age population declining 2.1 percent over the next five years.

“It is hard to fault those leaving given the commonwealth’s abysmal economic conditions. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks 34th nationally for tax competitiveness, a three-spot drop since last year’s ranking,” Holman said.

Plenty of people in the Delaware Valley agree that Keystone State taxpayers are getting hit too hard.

“We’ve done our taxes, which are definitely too high,” said Chester County resident Felice Fein. “The Colonists fought a revolution against an authoritarian power over a 2 percent tax. Most taxpayers are well into the double-digit tax range at this point. I believe the voters engaged in a peaceful revolution in electing Trump in 2024 and are hoping for changes in the U.S. tax structure.”

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh/Bucks) says Pennsylvania has turned into “a salad bar of taxes.”

“But unlike selecting your favorite dressing, your plate is smothered in a variety of taxes. It’s not just one tax that impacts Pennsylvanians. We’re nickel and dimed. There’s real estate transfer, inheritance, property taxes, and occupational privilege taxes, and then you get into all of the fees that get stacked on for permits and occupational licensing. Let us not forget the gas tax. But the sad truth is that until lawmakers get serious about cutting taxes, we won’t see substantial change.”

His fellow Delaware Valley Republican, Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), says the state’s fifth-place tax burden should be “a wake-up call to all Pennsylvania public officials to do better.” She says the real problem is politicians spending too much.

“Despite facing a $3 billion budget deficit, Democrats in Harrisburg want to raise taxes again instead of cutting wasteful spending. The commonwealth’s tax and spend policies drive people and small businesses out of our state and discourage companies from locating here.”

Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Harleysville) has a similar view. “Taxes in Pennsylvania will go even higher if Shapiro keeps spending billions from the rainy-day reserves without generating new revenue to replace it. Legalizing marijuana throughout our state isn’t going to cut it, and I won’t vote for it.”

Not everyone is complaining about Pennsylvania’s taxes, however.

Montgomery County resident Roberta Lee and her husband have filed their returns, and she says it was “very reasonable.”

“It seems like it’s a modest amount to pay for all the state tries to do.”

Don’t tell that to Delaware County resident John DeMasi.

“I pay self-employment taxes. I also pay property taxes to the county, township, and school. I pay 6 percent tax on almost everything I buy. I paid a boatload in tolls. I paid hotel and lodging taxes. I pay taxes and fees on airline tickets. I pay taxes on my telecommunications. I pay the liquid fuel tax whenever I fill up my car… the list goes on.

“And now, Upper Darby wants to charge me an extra 1 percent just because they can. I’m sure their 1 percent will be the tax that funds our utopia that all those other taxes failed to do.”

Whether you think they are too high, too low, or just right, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity is reminding Keystone Staters they can still file their state and federal taxes for free through Direct File.

For an alternative viewpoint, see ‘The Rich Need to Pay More taxes”

Heading into Tax Day, if you listen to progressive policymakers for a few minutes, you’ll likely hear that few problems on Earth can’t be solved by “taxing the rich.” Want to nationalize healthcare? Tax the rich. Want to close the deficit? Tax the rich. Need a ball gown for the Met Gala?  Tax the rich. Unfortunately, legislators not invited to fashion shows should look elsewhere for real solutions to America’s fiscal challenges.

Let’s start with the basics: the federal tax code is already one of the most progressive in the world. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the U.S. tax code is highly progressive, with the bottom 50 percent of U.S. taxpayers facing an average federal tax rate of 6.8 percent. In comparison, the top 1 percent pays about 5 times that amount, at 34 percent. Note that these measures include all federal taxes, including payroll taxes, which are generally regressive, and the corporate tax, which JCT assumes primarily falls on higher-income earners.

Compared to our peers, the U.S. tax code has generally been more progressive than any other in the developed world. While many European nations raise more revenue overall, they do it by taxing everyone — including low-income households — at the register through value-added taxes. In contrast, the U.S. leans heavily on progressive income and payroll taxes, disproportionately hitting high earners.

It’s also progressive relative to income. According to the IRS, the top 1 percent earn 22 percent of total income but pay more than 40 percent of the nation’s income taxes. By contrast, the bottom 50 percent of earners collectively pay a negative share of income taxes, mainly due to refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Note that these households do face other taxes, and these outcomes are by design.

The basic facts of the U.S. tax system reveal that those arguing in favor of a progressive tax system have already won — that’s what the United States has today.

What the United States does not have is a massive welfare state to match those of many European nations to which so many U.S. progressives aspire. The overall level of U.S. taxation is comparatively low. For instance, in France, the government collects 43 cents from every dollar earned, compared to about 25 cents in the United States.

U.S. progressives tend to hide the ball on this front. When Sen. Bernie Sanders released his Medicare for All financing plan, it came with a buffet of new taxes: a 52 percent top income tax rate, a new wealth tax, higher corporate taxes and more. Yet, even with all that, it still came up trillions short. That was to fund one new program.

When it comes to fixing the structural deficit, the math gets worse. Manhattan Institute economist Jessica Riedl estimates that taxing the rich to the “maximum sustainable extent” — raising top income tax rates, taxing capital gains as ordinary income, implementing a wealth tax, closing loopholes — would increase, at most, 1 percent to 2 percent of GDP.

Yet, the Congressional Budget Office projects deficits will average 6 percent of GDP in the 2030s and climb toward 9 percent by 2054. Under more realistic assumptions, the deficit is likely to be 14 percent over the long term. The gap between what progressive taxes can raise and what the government is projected to spend isn’t just large — it’s unbridgeable.

The problem isn’t tax revenue. It’s spending. Historically, federal revenues have averaged about 17 percent of GDP. Even without new laws, they’re projected to rise to nearly 19 percent. But spending is on track to hit, conservatively, 27 percent of GDP by 2054. And it’s not because of military or discretionary spending. The drivers are Social Security, Medicare and interest on the national debt.

There is no path to long-term fiscal solvency that does not run through spending reform. The numbers are too large, the obligations too dominant, and the demographics too unfavorable to pretend otherwise.

Taxing the rich may be a helpful applause line. But on this Tax Day, remember that as a governing strategy, it doesn’t come close to solving the problem. Eventually, lawmakers must say the quiet part out loud: the federal government doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem — and the longer we ignore it, the harder it will be to fix.

For an alternative viewpoint, see “Point: For the Left, Is There Anything ‘Taxing the Rich’ Can’t Do?”

The share of before-tax income going to the richest 1 percent of taxpayers has more than doubled in the last half-century. This massive upward redistribution of income was primarily a result of the ability of the rich to structure the economy in ways that benefited them: Trade agreements, longer and stronger patent monopolies, and a hugely bloated financial industry.

This was not enough for the nation’s rich. The wealthiest also demanded that politicians give them lower tax rates. And the politicians have responded to this demand from their wealthy campaign contributors.

The top tax rate faced by very high-income people fell from 70 percent in the 1970s to 35 percent today. The tax rate on capital gains, which accounts for most of the income of the rich and super-rich, is now 20 percent. The tax rate on corporate profits fell from 50 percent in the 1970s to 21 percent today.

That may sound bad for those concerned about fair taxes, but it worsens. Elon Musk and his DOGE crew have fired thousands of workers at the Internal Revenue Service. They have focused on the auditors — the people who make sure the wealthy and large corporations pay the taxes they owe.

Most of us have little choice in paying our taxes; they are deducted from our paychecks. But this is not the case with the rich and corporations. They must report their income and profits to the IRS and then calculate the taxes they owe.

The auditors at the IRS reviewed these tax forms and ensured the wealthy weren’t cheating the government. Musk’s firings essentially told the rich that there was no longer a cop on the beat. If the wealthy and big corporations don’t feel like paying their taxes, to a large extent, they no longer have to.

Incredibly, we are making the situation even more unfair with the massive taxes on imports that President Trump announced this month (he prefers to call them tariffs). While we don’t know all the items that will be covered, and there may be some reductions due to negotiations, we may be looking at a tax increase of close to $1 trillion annually.

On average, this would come to more than $7,000 per household, and the burden would fall disproportionately on moderate-income and middle-income families rather than the rich. This is because the rich typically don’t spend all their income, and they spend more on services like restaurants and travel, which will be less affected by Trump’s tax hikes on imported goods.

This is the most anti-worker tax policy the United States has ever seen. In effect, the government penalizes the people left behind in the last half-century.

It doesn’t need to be this way. There is plenty of room to raise taxes on the big winners in this economy. The United States saw the most rapid wage and income growth in the quarter century after World War II when the top tax rate for the rich was between 70 percent and 90 percent. Growth was also rapid in the 1990s when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rate from 31 percent to 39 percent. Higher taxes on the wealthy have not kept the economy from growing.

We also need to make sure the wealthy and large corporations pay the taxes they owe. This means hiring back all the people at the IRS that Musk fired and probably a few more.

We can also ensure we collect the corporate taxes we intend by making the basis of the corporate tax stock price appreciation rather than profits. Companies can lie about their profits, but they can’t hide how much their stock rose.

Higher taxes on rich people will also make it more difficult for the rich to buy elections. People with fortunes in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars can single-handedly make even the most incompetent politician into a credible candidate. Preserving democracy is another good reason for raising taxes on the rich.

The expiration of key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) at the end of 2025 presents an opportunity for Congress to foster continued economic growth and protect families from higher taxes. If lawmakers fail to extend these provisions, 62 percent of filers will see a tax increase. 

A failure to extend the TCJA’s provisions will also reverse essential tax cuts for small businesses. It will also lead to a more complex tax code for families. Permanently extending these provisions should be a priority for lawmakers.

The TCJA was a landmark piece of tax reform policy. It lowered rates while broadening the tax base and resulting in a more efficient and equitable tax code. By simplifying the tax code for individual filers, the TCJA made it easier for families to navigate their taxes while reducing their tax burden. Some such provisions include lowering marginal tax rates, creating limitations on itemized deductions, and expanding the standardized deduction.

Each of these provisions simplified the tax code for individual filers. These tax cuts directly increased disposable income, increasing investment and economic stimulus. Should these provisions expire in 2025, the reduced marginal tax rates would be changed to higher pre-TCJA levels.

Additionally, the TCJA fostered a 4.7 percent increase in corporate investment, a significant achievement. This is due to the TCJA lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. This had the dual effect of making corporations more competitive globally and allowing them more liquid assets to invest in the economy. As policymakers create and analyze new tax legislation, they should continue to prioritize opportunities for corporate investment and encourage consumer participation.

The TCJA enhanced competitiveness among all businesses, specifically small businesses. One provision that helped small businesses thrive is the 20 percent business deduction or 199A deduction for pass-through entities (businesses where profits flow through individual owners for taxation). Small-business owners would face significant tax increases without this tax code deduction. More than 33 million businesses are organized as pass-throughs, meaning a crucial part of the economy would be negatively affected.

Extending the 199A provision would allow small businesses to continue to invest in expansion, innovation, research and development. This is critical in an environment of high inflation. Additionally, the 199A deduction gives these pass-through businesses a greater ability to compete with larger corporations. Smaller businesses would lose their advantage if the 199A deduction is not extended, as larger corporations would still operate with the 21 percent rate.

Another key provision set to expire in 2025 that benefits businesses and families is the state-and-local tax (SALT) deduction cap. The TCJA limited the deduction to $10,000 for individuals and pass-through businesses. The SALT deduction allows taxpayers to deduct state and local taxes from their federal returns. Thus, this part of the tax code is a subsidy for high-tax governments nationwide, with the rest of the nation taking the hit. Beyond retaining the cap, lawmakers should continue to investigate lowering the cap for individuals and businesses beyond $10,000 or zeroing out the deduction altogether.

Maintaining the changes to the alternative minimum tax is crucial for taxpayers. The AMT system is complex and requires taxpayers to calculate their liability under two tax systems and pay the greater of the two. The TCJA helped expand exemptions from this system. Allowing these AMT exemptions to expire would create significant burdens for taxpayers and open the door for litigious auditors at the IRS to seize on the confusion.

Lawmakers have an opportunity to build on the successes of the TCJA and make these tax cuts permanent. Keeping the tax code stable is a foundational element in tax reform. Stability is vital to those who depend on a simple tax code when making economic decisions. Permanently extending pro-business and pro-worker provisions from the 2017 law will ensure the years ahead will be marked by financial stability and vibrancy.

A new WalletHub study finds Pennsylvanians pay the fifth highest tax burden out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The numbers are based on state and local taxes alone, not federal income taxes.

Pennsylvania levies a 3.07 percent state income tax, a 7.99 percent corporate income tax, and a 6 percent sales tax rate.

Some municipalities impose income taxes, as well as real estate taxes. Counties and school districts also demand real estate taxes.

WalletHub analysts found Pennsylvania was 47th from the bottom for its effective state and local tax rate, 50th for income taxes, 40th for real estate taxes, and 21st for sales and excise taxes.

“Every year during tax season, Americans are reminded of how much of their hard-earned income isn’t theirs to keep. Living in the right state can ease the stress of tax time, though, as taxpayers in the least expensive states pay less than half as much as those in the most expensive states,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub writer and analyst.

High state and local taxes fall particularly hard on small business owners like the members of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Greg Moreland, director of the Pennsylvania NFIB told DVJournal,  “The tax system here in the commonwealth is broken. There are too many carve-outs for certain industries.

“If you have a high-powered lobbyist, you can get a tax credit for your industry and save money. But all that does is push the pressure onto the sectors that don’t receive those tax credits. Because at the end of the day, the government needs their money,” Moreland said.

The only states ranked with a higher effective tax rate than Pennsylvania are New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Illinois, which has the highest tax burden in the U.S.

The lowest tax states are Alaska, Delaware, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

Pennsylvania was also among the highest (49th) for taxes on gasoline compared to other states, with Alaska again coming in at the lowest. Pennsylvania drivers pay $0.576 per gallon.

DVJournal readers offered their own theories via social media about why the state’s taxes are so high.

“Government pork,” said Greg Williams.

Some Pennsylvanians are fleeing to low-tax states.

“Pennsylvania is losing residents to other, more fiscally responsible states,” said Kevin Kane, director of legislative strategy for the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank. “Recent data revealed that for the 14th time in 15 years, Pennsylvania saw population loss from domestic migration.

“In our latest polling, we found that nearly 4 in 10 younger Pennsylvanians (under the age of 44) have thought about leaving the state or know others who have considered it or already left. The top three reasons cited should come as no surprise: lower cost of living, lower taxes, and better jobs and opportunities,” Kane said.

“The commonwealth is facing an out-migration crisis because it lacks a competitive edge compared to other states. Pennsylvania’s tax and spend policies, worsening structural deficit, and record-high spending are driving businesses and people out of our state,” he added. “Unfortunately, things are not looking up.”

Taking a jab at the Democratic governor, Kane said, “While the current administration claims to be ‘competitive as hell,’ the policies do not match what other more competitive states are offering. Gov. Shapiro’s latest budget address is a prime example of this – to pay for this year’s executive budget, the state would have to approve an estimated $1,900 tax hike for a family of four.”

In an acknowledgement that the state’s tax burden is hurting business and slowing growth, Shapiro’s budget includes calls for significant tax cuts.

“My budget would cut taxes for businesses by $10.5 billion by 2029 — in addition to the $450 million in tax cuts we delivered for families and seniors over the past two years,” Shapiro said after he unveiled his plan. “If we really want to spur economic growth and help businesses grow here, we need to make our tax system more competitive.”

Asked about the latest ranking, Shapiro’s spokesperson Manuel Bonder said the governor “has cut taxes several times and continues to focus on cutting taxes for Pennsylvanians. He has put that front and center in his budget proposal and will continue pushing to make our commonwealth more competitive.”

Critics say Shapiro’s plan is unrealistic, relying on revenue from legalizing marijuana and a 52 percent tax on unregulated skill games, both of which are unlikely to happen.

According to Kane, gimmicks won’t fix Pennsylvania’s high-tax problem.

“Unless lawmakers prioritize a balanced budget, slash taxes and regulations, and promote common-sense policies to make our state more attractive to businesses and families, Pennsylvania will continue to lose its greatest commodity – its people.”

(From a press release)

With tax season underway, the Shapiro Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians that the Department of Revenue offers free online tools and resources that can help people seamlessly file their tax returns.

“If you’re looking to save time and money this tax season, we’re here to help. In fact, we have options available that will make the tax-filing process free and painless for many Pennsylvanians,” said Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne. “We want to do everything we can to make sure people are aware that these tools exist. They can help relieve stress and financial burden for many people.”

Direct File

Roughly 2.1 million Pennsylvanians are eligible this tax season to use Direct File. This online tax filing tool offers taxpayers the option to file their federal and state tax returns at no cost directly with the IRS and Department of Revenue.

Direct File is being offered this year in Pennsylvania for the very first time. Pennsylvania is one of 25 states partnering with the IRS to offer Direct File after it was successfully piloted last year.

The IRS offers an eligibility checker at directfile.irs.gov that will walk you through the steps to see if you’re eligible.

Direct File is currently designed for Pennsylvanians with common tax situations. For example, it supports these types of income:

• Income from an employer (Form W-2)
• Social Security benefits (Form SSA-1099)
• Unemployment compensation (Form 1099-G)
• Interest income (1099-INT)
• Distributions for qualified medical expenses from Health Savings Accounts (Form 1099-SA)

Additionally, Direct File may be a good option if you:

• Lived in Pennsylvania for all of 2024
• Earned all of your income in Pennsylvania in 2024
• Will not file Pennsylvania Schedule OC — Other Credits

If you are eligible for Direct File, the tool will walk you through interview-style questions to prepare your returns, just as with other tax preparation software platforms.

Visit pa.gov/directfile for further information. You can also help spread the word on Direct File by visiting the Direct File Toolkit on the Department of Revenue website.

Taxpayer Service and Assistance

The Department of Revenue offers assistance on state personal income tax questions through the Department’s Online Customer Service Center. The Online Customer Service Center contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the Department through a process that is similar to sending an email. Taxpayers may also call 717-787-8201 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for state personal income tax assistance.

In-person assistance is available at Department of Revenue district offices. Assistance at district offices is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Taxpayers are encouraged to call ahead to make an appointment. They are also encouraged to bring their Social Security cards and photo identification with them to facilitate tax filing.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by visiting Where’s My Income Tax Refund? or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.

Free tax forms and instructions are available at www.revenue.pa.gov.

Electronic Filing for Free

Other free electronic filing options are available to file state and federal returns using software from vendors. More vendor information is available on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Electronic Filing for a Fee

Paid tax preparers and commercial tax preparation software providers offer electronic filing, or e-filing, for a fee. Check a list of vendors on the Department’s website for further information.

April 15 Deadline

All taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2024 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

(From a press release)

The Springfield Township Board of Commissioners has approved the municipality’s 2025 budget which holds the line on spending and implements no municipal property tax increases. Reflecting an ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, the township budget for 2025 remains at $22.645 million – the same level as 2024.  The millage rate also remains at 3.92 mills, the same level as 2024.

“The Board of Commissioners recognizes that many local residents are facing financial challenges at this time, with families and individuals making difficult decisions to manage their own household budget,” said Jeff Rudolph, president of the board. “This budget represents a concerted effort to maintain essential municipal services, infrastructure improvements, and operations while holding the line on new spending. We entered our annual budget process with a clear goal of not increasing property taxes and I’m pleased that we were able to accomplish that.”

Approximately $14.8 million of the township’s $22.65 million budget comes from tax collections. The reminder of the budget is funded through other revenue receipts. The largest portion of the budget is allocated to the township police department, which is funded at $6.82 million. Another major element of the budget includes trash collection, which is funded at $2.91 million. While many municipalities in Delaware County require residents to contract with private waste disposal and recycling companies at an additional charge, Springfield Township continues to provide these functions as a government service.

One of the major capital projects in 2025 will be the much-needed renovation of the township’s municipal and police building. As part of the renovation project, the Springfield Township Police Department will temporarily relocate its operations to 601 Baltimore Pike, Springfield in a building that was formerly occupied by a Jenny Craig Weight Loss Center (adjacent to Party City). That relocation is expected to occur on or about January 24th.  As always, in case of an emergency, residents are urged to dial 911.

In December, the township’s administrative offices were temporarily relocated to Suite 201 at Springfield Square (1001 Baltimore Pike) to accommodate renovations and restoration of the existing township building, including asbestos removal. The asbestos removal process began on Monday, January 13th. During the temporary relocation, the phone number and mailing for the township administration remain unchanged: (610) 544-1300 and 50 Powell Road, Springfield, PA 19064.

Unfortunately, residents will see some slight fee increases due to increased rates from external entities that provide sanitary sewer service and municipal solid waste disposal to Springfield Township residents and businesses. To be clear, these are not rate increases implemented by the township, but by outside agencies and they are being “passed on” to consumers.

Costs paid by the township on behalf of residents to the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority have increased significantly, prompting an increase in the annual refuse fee from $300 to $330 per household.  Similarly, the four sewer authorities that serve the township have also increased their rates. As a result, the sanitary sewer fee will rise 0.75 cents per 1,000 gallons per household. Again, these increases are essentially pass throughs.

On Thursday, the Montgomery County commissioners joined their fellow Democrats governing Chester and Delaware Counties to give homeowners a lump of coal for Christmas: a nine percent tax hike.

Republican Commissioner Tom DiBello voted against the $610.9 million operating budget, but he backed the $244.4 million capital budget. DVJournal asked why he split his vote.

DiBello explained personnel costs make up the lion’s share of the budget, and he’d asked for detailed analysis from each department but had not received it, so he didn’t feel comfortable voting for the budget. He hopes to get that information next year.

But with the capital budget, there are already projects underway that can’t just be halted.

“Do we want to continue to do everything we’re doing?” DiBello asked. He believes the county needs to be run more like a business. “We need to look into these programs. We can’t continue doing everything we’re doing at the expense of the taxpayers.”

Democratic BOC Chair Jamila Winder touted a new year-round shelter approved Thursday to help the homeless, partnering with Lansdale Borough and Resources for Human Development. It will house 20 people at a time. There were 435 people sleeping outside in Montgomery County during a count of the homeless earlier this year.

“The shelter is a monumental step in our mission to address housing insecurity across Montgomery County,” said Winder. “And most importantly this is a demonstration of our fulfillment of our promise to our residents in Montgomery County.”

It will “provide person-centered, wrap-around services to help our friends and neighbors secure permanent housing and other community services. This is in addition to the second homeless shelter that opened in Lansdale.”

There are often 27 to 38 homeless people in Lansdale, she said.  She thanked the borough for “having the courage” to address homelessness.

Lansdale Council President Mary Fuller said, “The feedback we’ve gotten from our residents has been nothing but positive.”

Chief Financial Officer Dean Dortone presented the 2025 budget, which includes a $15.8 million structural deficit. Expenditures are 7.6 percent higher than in 2024, primarily for personnel costs, debt service and money transferred to the 911 Fund.

He said the deficit will be filled by the real estate tax increase from 5.64 mills to 5.178 mills and money from the unassigned fund balance. Real estate taxes comprise 54 percent of the budget, with federal and state grants contributing 34.6 percent. The remainder is from fees from the various departments.

The average single-family homeowner with a market value of $520,100 would pay $965 to the county, an increase of $79.

The county, which has a Triple-A Moody’s rating, also expects to issue $165 million in new bonds for capital projects in 2025.

County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny thanked the commissioners for “their commitment to public safety.” He thanked them for “gear, vehicles and resources” and funds for vests for the K-9s, as well as increasing their recruiting budget.

Ambler resident David Morgan was concerned about “the galloping horse of a tax increase.”

A woman told the BOC that a 9 percent tax hike was too much.

“It’s really tough on taxpayers,” who also pay federal, state and municipal taxes. “Listen to the taxpayers.” She suggested they delay adopting the budget for a week to find places to save. “There are things to take out of the budget,” she said. “You’re spending our money.”

“Although you’re hearing us, I don’t think you’re listening,” she added.

Winder called the budget a “complicated dance” and said the commissioners take “our fiduciary duty really serious,” and she is “keeping people center of all I do…This was hard, but we have promises to deliver on. We have commitments we made to the community…There’s no luxury spending here in Montgomery County.”

Democrats also control Delaware County and Chester County. Delaware County Council voted to increase taxes by 23 percent this month, and the Chester County BOC voted to increase taxes by 13.47 percent. Bucks County, which Democrats also control, passed its budget Wednesday without a tax increase. Voter registration in Bucks County recently flipped to Republican majority.

The Montgomery County commissioners are poised to hike taxes by nine percent when they adopt the $610.9 million 2025 budget on Dec. 19. At least one local Republican isn’t happy about it.

Montco Commissioner Tom DiBello, the only GOP member of the three-person board, noted, “We’ve seen a cumulative 31 percent tax increase over the last four years.” The nine percent hike would take the total to more than 40 percent in just five years.

“We have to be cognizant our taxpayers are being stretched to the limit with inflation and all the rising costs throughout the county, throughout the state, and country. We see those rising costs today in the county. That’s why some of our expenses are rising faster than we would like,” DiBello said.

“We also see school districts across Montgomery County that are raising taxes on average four to five percent a year. So our county residents are being hit from every angle. We have to look at every opportunity to figure out how we could minimize the tax impacts on our communities.”

According to the website smartasset.com, the property tax rate in Montgomery County is 1.62 percent, which puts it near the state average. A homeowner with a home assessed at $326,200 pays an average of $5,273 annually.

For Bucks County, the owner of a house valued at the median of $340,500 pays $5,282 in property taxes at a rate of 1.55. In Chester County, a homeowner with a home valued at the median of $369,500 pays $5,735 at a rate of 1.55 percent. In Delaware County, with a median home value of $247,900, taxes would be $5,690, and the tax rate is 1.62 percent.

Philadelphia is the least pricy, with a median home at $171,600, taxes at $1,808 and the tax rate at 1.05 percent.

Commissioner Neil Makhija (D) said the budget includes the board’s priorities, including investing in hydroelectric power through the Norristown dam and installing electric vehicle charging stations at county facilities, “which are going to be essential for us to transition to those.”

“We’re also making a film on the success of the whole home repairs program that we launched earlier this year, which gives eligible homeowners grants to address safety concerns, efficiency, and make their units more affordable. We also included an increase in our funding for SEPTA.”

The budget includes $42.3 million to fix the roads and bridges and $7 million for county trails. There is also $3.5 million for open space.

“While all this seems like a lot of money, what we’re doing is in a fiscally responsible way. We’re able to achieve our objectives by leveraging local funds to obtain state and federal money, as well. We’re also simply being smarter in the way we spend and finance money as well,” said Makhija.

He said the county refinanced bonds to save about $1 million in debt service in 2024 and 2025. But debt service is up $3.9 million for 2025.

“We also identified about $3 million in savings in this budget as a result of operational reductions, services and supplies, equipment and training and travel expenses,” said Makhija.

He said poor residents or those on fixed incomes may be able to enroll in a tax abatement program. The county is also giving tax rebates to volunteer EMS and firefighters.

“We will continue to find ways to help those who need it in terms of tax deferral and rebates,” he said.

Chair Jamila Winder (D) said it is “gratifying to me that so many people care for our homeless friends and neighbors.” While they are “always cognizant of the taxpayers, this budget and the seeds that we planted will help some of these issues make a dent. If only there were more people who would care about our homeless residents.”

David Morgan, a resident who attended the meeting, wondered whether the county could find ways to economize.

“I find it concerning that debt service is a paramount reason for the increase,” said Morgan. “That is really concerning. It’s harder to rent or buy in our county. I was disappointed to see a nine percent increase in our taxes. We have people who can barely make ends meet.”

With construction ongoing at the new $415 million Justice Center, “there’s concern about debt obligations and these big projects.”

Rick Buckman, a former Republican commissioner, was surprised to hear about the planned tax increase.

“When Republicans were in charge, we liked less government and less taxes,” said Buckman. “Right now, we have a lot more government and a lot more programs, and it’s not free. It’s nice to hand things out, but you have to pay for these programs. It falls on the rest of us to pay for it.”

Another former Republican county commissioner, Bruce L. Castor Jr., said when Democrats gained the majority they “spent down our surplus and drove up our debt when anyone could see the economic crash of 2008 was upon us.”

But Castor, and his Democratic “governing partners,” Josh Shapiro [now governor] and Leslie Richards restored fiscal soundness and that helped “propel their political careers.”

“Leslie, Josh, and I were heralded as heroes for a while, reining in government excess and taking a practical approach to governing. But once we left, people forgot why we had been heroes. The Democrat machine shifted into gear, Philly came to Norristown and, from there, out to our 62 municipalities. The Philly philosophy, the big-city America philosophy of tax and spend became the default. Raise taxes? No problem when Democrats run this show in Norristown. Like, Philly, NYC, Chicago, LA, etc.”