FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2005
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Senators Waugh, Wenger Hold Public Hearing On Farmland Property Tax Rebate Plan

Agenda and Testimony

Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) and Senator Noah Wenger (R-Lancaster) held a pubic hearing this week in Hanover on a Senate proposal they are sponsoring to boost farming and farmland preservation in Pennsylvania.  The measure would enable farmers to receive a property tax rebate as part of the proceeds from the sale of development rights to their land under the Farmland Preservation Program. 

The bill is part of a comprehensive "Farmers First Agenda" the senators have introduced to promote and preserve agriculture in Pennsylvania.           

At the hearing, the senators heard testimony from Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff, representatives of agricultural and land preservation organizations and area farmers.           

Waugh and Wenger, who serve as chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said their "Farmers First Agenda" also includes a number of measures designed to preserve farmland, prevent sprawl, help farmers be more competitive and ensure that agriculture remains Pennsylvania's top industry. 

They received strong support for their proposal to provide tax relief to landowners who preserve their farm property. 

Created in 1988, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program provides for easement purchases under the current Farmland Preservation Program. Farmers may accept lump sum payments, installments or other payment structures such as exchange of "like-kind" property. 

The property tax rebate proposal Waugh and Wenger are calling for would provide farmers with a new option when receiving payment for the sale of conservation easements. Landowners would have the choice of accepting a rebate on an annual basis for the cost of property taxes over a period of five to 30 years.

They say the goal is to encourage the preservation of more open space and farmland.  Earlier this year, the state reached a milestone of 300,000 acres of prime preserved farmland helping it to maintain its position as a leader in farmland preservation. 

CONTACT: CAROL MARAVIC (717) 787-6725