Philadelphia City Council last week called on the state legislature to amend the tax law to provide for more equitable treatment of same-sex couples.
Council last Thursday unanimously approved Councilwoman-at-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown’s resolution in support of a bill that would exempt same-sex couples from paying state inheritance taxes.
“While City Council does not have a vote in Harrisburg, we do have the power of our collective voice as a legislative body representing 1.5-million Pennsylvanians,” Reynolds Brown said.
The state effort is being spearheaded by Rep. Babette Josephs.
Currently, if a person dies, his or her unmarried partner would be required to pay a full 15-percent tax on any inheritance left to them. Heterosexual spouses and children under 21 are exempt from paying tax on property bequeathed to them, and Josephs’ measure would include both same- and opposite-sex domestic partners in that exemption.
Josephs bill was introduced in September with 11 cosponsors and has since gained three more cosponsors, all of whom are Democrats.
It came up for a hearing before the House Finance Committee in the fall but no vote was taken.
A copy of the Council resolution will be sent to the majority and minority leaders in the House, the chairs of the Finance Committee and the Philadelphia delegation.
“We have learned from past experience that when we put our support on record, whether people agree or not, they do pay attention,” Reynolds Brown said. “We hope that advocacy organizations can use this as a tool to start a dialogue in municipalities across the state.”
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].
