South Whitehall Manager Jon Hammer said the township is "encouraged" that its earned income taxes will no longer be diverted to Allentown arena project.
Will South Whitehall drop its arena lawsuit now that state lawmakers have revised the law that created Allentown's Neighborhood Improvement Zone? According to a Morning Call report, earned income taxes from South Whitehall and other suburban municipalities will no longer be diverted to the arena project under the revised law. Also, money already collected from township residents who work in downtown Allentown will be returned. "Once we have the opportunity to review the law changes and consult with our Township Solicitor, Joseph Zator, I would anticipate the Board of Commissioners will come out with an official statement on this matter," said Township Manager Jon Hammer in an email. He did not anticipate any action until the board's next …
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South Whitehall Township Administrative Offices
4444 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall, Pa
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South Whitehall finally learned how much it will lose in tax revenue annually, and over 30 years, to Allentown's controversial Neighborhood Improvement Zone.
News that South Whitehall will lose about $60,000 a year in earned income tax money to Allentown’s controversial Neighborhood Improvement Zone has not quieted the township's opposition to the state law creating the zone. Over 30 years, the loss to South Whitehall would amount to $1.8 million, said Township Manager Jon Hammer. He said the NIZ law is "poorly written" and "needs to be changed." Beginning this year, earned income taxes collected from those working within a 130-acre area in Allentown are being diverted to pay debt service on bonds that will pay for the arena project and other city development. The tax revenue normally would be forwarded to the home municipalities of those who work in the city. South Whitehall joined a lawsuit …
40.6121
-75.5757
South Whitehall Township Administrative Offices
4444 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall, Pa
/articles/south-whitehall-to-lose-60-000-to-arena-project
1635102
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SWT Resident
8:31 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Either which way SWT and its residents were going to lose funds on this illegal deal manifested by Senator Pat Browne for the city of Allentown. We either lose it to the black hole called Allentown where the funds would flow into private enterprise pockets for 30 years. Or we lose it to a local attorney in a one-time shot who at least pays something back in property and licensing fees to the … more ›