Issues for 2016

Ring in 2016. Can it be better than the past, or are we doomed for more aggravations and disappointments? The new year always feels like the time to unload frustrations that pop up in so many places.
To start, health insurance is so confusing. A statement of claim information from the insurance company gives the details of service a recipient receives, but the costs are drastically adjusted by the insurer.
Then, as property owners, we are still hearing about tax reform. While the state chose to pay for education and other local services through property taxes, it has become the most unfair tax in Pennsylvania. While some are up in arms about Washington County’s reassessment, and what it may cost each taxpayer, think about the losses that have been incurred by school districts, municipalities and the county by not having a reassessment since 1981. When firemen, libraries, road repairs, schools and other services have been reduced or limited, the lack of a proper assessment since 1981 has been the source. For every tax increase school districts or municipalities put on property owners, they have been paying for the losses on newer structures that have not been properly taxed.
The third problem that needs some action is the cable televsion business. No matter where you live, your monthly bill shows a franchise fee payable to the municipality where the service extends. This fee is not placed on computer services or dish users. This results in cable television subscribers paying more to their township than just property taxes.
Joann Diesel
Washington