Pennsylvanians... what do you want for your state?

Question

Seriously.

What would you like to add, take away, or improve in our once great state?

These are some fantastic answers. Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

I'd like to see a statewide Constitutional Convention that addresses some of the fundamental problems we have - first and foremost, the fragmented government structure. I think the tax situation and the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of state and local government can be boiled down to the fact that we have more local governments than we need. They should either be consolidated or certain powers should be moved from local to county or regional governmental units. The fragmented local government structure is archaic and holds PA back.

I'd also like to see the citizens of PA take more pride in where they live. I'm not sure why, but people that live in PA (western PA in particular) seem to have a very negative feeling about where they live. I've traveled and lived in different states and I think PA is awesome. I think people need to get out of town once in a while to understand how well they've got it.

Answer 2

Well, where does one start. I moved to PA 7 years ago. I have never lived anywhere where taxes are so outrageous and simple things are so hard and expensive to do.

1. Have registration and plates for cars expire on the owners birthday...like drivers license.
2. Pay for and obtain plates, drivers license at the same time and local as you get your picture taken for your license. We waste more money and time sending things back and forth to Harrisburg then going to get stuff at the messenger service or the AAA office or the license place...
3. Eliminate the bogus "occupational tax". I have never heard of paying a city for the right to work within their city limits. I was told when I asked the Tax office of the City of Pittsburgh that money was to help pay for fire and police protection....how come as soon as they raise the tax from $10 a year to $52 a year (FYI it comes out of your first pay of the year no matter how much or how little you make!) they closed a number of police & fire stations.
4. Instate a tax on clothes and remove the "school tax" from home owners,or add 1% tax onto the state income tax for the district in which you live, or add 1% sales tax on everything to go straight into the school systems....divided by the number of students in each school district. More students=more money. The school tax is a hudge burdon on home owners and encourages renting and discourages home ownership. Personally my school tax is more than double my property tax for both the city and county. Other states do not have such a tax...why do we?
4. Have a better more enforcable program to help residents get off of welfare. Encourge or mandate that residents on welfare if able to work ....work, even if it is only a mimunm wage job. Please understand that I don't begrug anyone help, but they should work too...not just sit and get. Everyone needs to do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. It will help them in the long run. Pride in a job well done is irreplaceable. We don't need to be known as the "welfare state".

For all that needs work in this great state there are a couple of things that are still great here. The people are wonderful and the schools are really good contrary to popular belief. There are many activities for the students to take advantage of beyond sports...and that is so special...and I think alot of residents take it for granted. I hope more communities celebrate their school's orchestra, band, art and reading programs. Thanks for the question!

Answer 3

A governor who believes in tax breaks would be nice, for starters.

Elimination of the property tax.

Also, no more new sports facilities! Seems like a waste of money that could be put to better use.