Post by MAYTAG on May 24, 2005 10:25:42 GMT -5
Tom Savage • Fire and Emergency Services of PA
GovNetPA.com® • #31951 Date: 05/23/2005 Time: 03:09 PM • © Government News Network
News From The House Democrats
SOLOBAY WANTS PORTION OF EMS TAX DEDICATED
TO AMBULANCE SERVICES
HARRISBURG, May 23 – State Rep. Tim Solobay is introducing legislation that would direct a portion of the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax to local ambulance services.
Solobay's legislation would require cities, boroughs and townships that collect the $52 tax to remit $5 of the tax to the ambulance company serving their community. Municipalities that levy the tax at an amount less than $52 would be required to direct 10 percent to their local ambulance service.
Solobay, D-Washington, plans to offer his proposal as an amendment to a Senate-approved bill that would exempt workers earning less than $12,000 from the tax and spread the payments out quarterly. That measure (SB-157) is awaiting action in the House.
"Because of its name, there has been a misperception that most, if not all, of the EMS tax is going to support ambulance companies," Solobay said. "More than 300 municipalities have raised the tax to $52, but few, if any, additional dollars are going to basic life support and advanced life support services."
Solobay, a former EMT, said ambulance companies are lobbying state legislators to change the name of the tax. Besides getting little or no money from the tax, ambulance company officials say it has led to a decline in contributions, which some companies depend on for as much as one-third of their operating income.
"I have heard from a lot of people in the ambulance service who say their membership campaigns are down this year because people think their $52 EMS tax is going to the ambulance company," he said.
Last year, the legislature changed the name of the occupational privilege tax to the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax and increased the maximum amount municipalities can collect from workers from $10 to $52 a year. Municipalities were given broad discretion to use the money for police, fire or emergency services, road construction and maintenance, or property tax reduction.
Solobay emphasized that his legislation would not create a new tax, but rather would require that a portion of the funds generated by the EMS tax go directly to ambulance companies.
*******************************************
OK folks, now is the time to start making some calls to the politicians and make this a true EMS tax!!!
GovNetPA.com® • #31951 Date: 05/23/2005 Time: 03:09 PM • © Government News Network
News From The House Democrats
SOLOBAY WANTS PORTION OF EMS TAX DEDICATED
TO AMBULANCE SERVICES
HARRISBURG, May 23 – State Rep. Tim Solobay is introducing legislation that would direct a portion of the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax to local ambulance services.
Solobay's legislation would require cities, boroughs and townships that collect the $52 tax to remit $5 of the tax to the ambulance company serving their community. Municipalities that levy the tax at an amount less than $52 would be required to direct 10 percent to their local ambulance service.
Solobay, D-Washington, plans to offer his proposal as an amendment to a Senate-approved bill that would exempt workers earning less than $12,000 from the tax and spread the payments out quarterly. That measure (SB-157) is awaiting action in the House.
"Because of its name, there has been a misperception that most, if not all, of the EMS tax is going to support ambulance companies," Solobay said. "More than 300 municipalities have raised the tax to $52, but few, if any, additional dollars are going to basic life support and advanced life support services."
Solobay, a former EMT, said ambulance companies are lobbying state legislators to change the name of the tax. Besides getting little or no money from the tax, ambulance company officials say it has led to a decline in contributions, which some companies depend on for as much as one-third of their operating income.
"I have heard from a lot of people in the ambulance service who say their membership campaigns are down this year because people think their $52 EMS tax is going to the ambulance company," he said.
Last year, the legislature changed the name of the occupational privilege tax to the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax and increased the maximum amount municipalities can collect from workers from $10 to $52 a year. Municipalities were given broad discretion to use the money for police, fire or emergency services, road construction and maintenance, or property tax reduction.
Solobay emphasized that his legislation would not create a new tax, but rather would require that a portion of the funds generated by the EMS tax go directly to ambulance companies.
*******************************************
OK folks, now is the time to start making some calls to the politicians and make this a true EMS tax!!!