The First Right – The most precious right - to life.  David Maloney has always been pro-life and pro-family. He will work toward programs and policies that end the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions, and he will promote compassionate alternatives like adoption.

Marriage – David supports the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment and opposes attempts to redefine marriage as anything other than one man and one woman.

Freedom of Religion – All people in America are free to practice their own faith. It is a core American right that David will defend.

Parents Rights in Education – As a School Director at Oley Valley, David has seen firsthand the importance of parent involvement in our schools.  Schools cannot usurp the authority of parents, and David Maloney will strive for public school excellence, defend homeschoolers, and work to expand choice and competition in education. David has the endorsement and support of Students First PAC, which supports public officials who support giving parents - especially low income and working parents - more educational options for their children.

Casino Gambling in Pennsylvania – Harrisburg cannot balance a budget and save our state economy on the hopes and dreams of slot machines and table gambling. Working families, the elderly and poor must not be taken advantage of as a source of revenue. Gambling expansion has failed to deliver the long-promised reduction of school property taxes.

Protecting the Voters in PA - David voted to pass the Voter ID Bill, HB 934 that became law in March 2012. Overwhelmingly constituents supported this law to help protect their votes from fraudulent or illegal voters. 

State Representative David M. Maloney
130th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2012

Maloney Offers Constitutional Amendment on Property Taxes
Measure would protect principal residences from levies and forfeitures

HARRISBURG - Legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution so that principal places of residence are excluded from school property taxes was introduced today by Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks).

If we can pass legislation such as the Castle Doctrine, which allows Pennsylvanians to protect themselves in their homes, we can pass legislation that protects the castle," Maloney said. "That is why I have authored this measure that would allow all Pennsylvanians to vote on the matter at the polls."

Currently, the Pennsylvania Constitution allows local taxing authorities to exclude from taxation up to 50 percent of the median assessed value of homestead property within the taxing district. "Median assessed value" is the middle value of all the homesteads in a taxing district when you put them in numerical order," Maloney said. "For example, if you have three properties, with one worth $100,000, and another worth $200,000 and the last worth $150,000, when you place these values in numerical order, the "median assessed value" would be $150,000."

Maloney's legislation, House Bill 2300, will amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow local taxing authorities to exclude from taxation up to 100 percent of the assessed value of the homestead property receiving the exclusion. While this is the current mechanism to provide residential property tax relief, it is inadequate as it caps the amount of relief that can be provided. This provision, if adopted, will improve upon an already established property tax relief mechanism by allowing for the elimination of residential school property taxes via the homestead exclusion.

"The homeowners in Pennsylvania have had enough of living with fear and dread of property taxes. I believe any tax that would put you out of your home is plain wrong. I hope my amendment will move quickly in the State House," Maloney said.

To amend the state Constitution, the same bill containing the amendment must be debated and passed in two consecutive sessions, and then approved by referendum vote by the people of Pennsylvania. The governor's signature is not required.

# # #