HARRISBURG – Legislation is being proposed at aiming to deter illegal immigration and generate new revenue for property tax and rent relief. A bill being offered by area Sens. Doug Mastriano and Chris Gebhard would impose a 10% fee on international remittances conducted by illegal immigrants who send money oversees through a money transfer licensee or agent. Revenue generated would be used to supplement PA’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which provides rebates of up to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Illegal immigrants use remittances to send money to relatives and friends in their countries of origin. More than $70 billion is transferred annually from the United States to other nations. The bill is based on a similar concept enacted in Oklahoma. The most recent tax report shows their remittance fee generated over $15 million for Oklahoma. Mastriano and Gebhard currently are circulating a co-sponsorship memo seeking support.
SEN. CHRIS GEBHARD
SEN. DOUG MASTRIANO