Gov. Corbett Vetoes Moratorium Bill

 blasted Gov. Tom Corbett on Friday for blocking what White called "the first real step toward accomplishing significant property reassessment reform in decades."

White said that the Corbett-blocked legislation, introduced by state Rep. Rick Saccone, would have imposed a temporary moratorium on countywide property tax reassessments in Washington County and saved taxpayers an estimated $8 million for a court-ordered reassessment process due to begin this month.

"Originally, the bill would have implemented a statewide moratorium on property reassessments, but the Senate amended it to only include Washington County," White explained. "The Senate's changes are the prime reason the governor vetoed this legislation, and I am extremely disappointed by both the governor's and Senate's actions.

But, White said that he is undaunted.

"While this is a setback, I have not given up," White said. "I previously introduced my own statewide moratorium bill in January—House Bill No. 166—and when the legislature reconvenes in September, I'll be pushing that bill so that we can continue reforming the flawed system and protect homeowners from dramatic property-tax increases."

House Bill No. 1696 is part of a three-bill package spearheaded by White that passed the state legislature last month to reform Pennsylvania's method of reassessing property values. Under the other two bills introduced by White and , two statewide task forces will study and make recommendations to improve the reassessment process.

"Despite the Senate's action and governor's veto of the moratorium, Rep. Neuman and I will be working with the two task forces over the summer and fall to come up with a plan for comprehensive reassessment reform by the end of the year," White said. "We need to work together and remember that the ultimate goal is to develop a reassessment system that it is both efficient and cost-effective for taxpayers."

Other officials lauded Corbett's decision.

"I lobbied the state legislature to pass a moratorium for all counties," said Rich Fitzgerald, the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive, on Friday.

"I think the governor did the right thing," Fitzgerald said. "All counties need a moratorium. It's nothing against Washington County. The residents there should get a moratorium but so should all the other residents in Pennsylvania."

Fitzgerald is a previous Allegheny County Council president who served for 12 years on the council before stepping down in March to run for county executive. 

A call to Corbett's press office was not immediately returned. Neuman could not be reached for comment.

This article originally appeared on the .