Could back-to-school supplies in Pennsylvania be tax exempt?
Representatives Ann Flood (R-Northampton County) and Robert Freeman (D-Northampton County) are hoping to ease the financial burden on Pennsylvanians' pockets when it comes to their children's education. According to the United States Senate Federal Credit Union, in 2024, it was estimated that parents would spend over $500 per child on school supplies.
Average items and expenses:
Clothing: $169
Shoes: $113
Electronics & technology: $206
School supplies (i.e., notebooks, folders, glue, pencils, markers, scissors): $94
However, families who may be sending a child off to college are estimated to spend over $1,000, as the jump to further education may come with a larger price tag.
Pennsylvania bill looks to prohibit use of AI in political campaigns
In a memo to other lawmakers, they announced plans to create an annual back-to-school sales tax holiday. The legislation would create a three-week holiday during which various school supplies can be bought tax-free. They have suggested that this holiday take place for the first three weeks of August.
They went on to say that the bill would cover computer equipment under $1,500, instructional material and other school supplies under $50. Pennsylvania would not be the first to have a tax-exempt period, as several other states have already passed pieces of legislation.
The Federation of Tax Administrators notes that states like Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia are among the states that have different legislation aimed at reducing back-to-school costs. Let's take a look at what these states currently offer:
Alabama
Clothing $100
Computer $750 or under
School supplies $50
Books $30 or less
Arkansas
Back to school clothing/footwear $100 or less
Clothing accessories $50 or less
School supplies, including art supplies
Instructional material
Electronic devices
Tennessee (Began in 2006)
Clothing
School supplies
Computers
West Virginia (Began in 2021)
Clothing $125 or less
Computers $500 or less
School instruction material $20 or less
School supplies $50 or less
Sports equipment $150 or less
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Education trust fund proposed to replace school property taxes
(The Center Square) – A new solution for Pennsylvania's perennial struggle over education funding began circulating in the Legislature on Wednesday. This time, Republican Rep. Jason Ortitay, who represents a district southwest of Pittsburgh, wants to establish the Pennsylvania Education Endowment Fund using one-time state asset sales, expanded natural gas drilling on leased lands, a share of gambling revenue, public-private partnerships and investment returns from state bonds. Altogether, Ortitay says the fund's value will grow enough to replace all $16 billion collected from taxpayers to support public schools. 'For decades, Pennsylvanians have demanded relief from the crushing burden of school property taxes, especially seniors, working families, and homeowners on fixed incomes,' he said in a cosponsorship memo. 'Previous proposals to eliminate these taxes have either relied on politically unworkable tax swaps or failed to provide a sustainable funding source for public education.' The endowment fund, he said, would 'chart a different course.' Existing partisan ideology suggests that Democrats, majority party of the House of Representatives and occupant of the governor's mansion, will not want to travel that route. Instead, the chamber's leaders, in concert with Gov. Josh Shapiro, want the state to appropriate more money to public education each year to meet a court order that deemed the commonwealth's current funding levels unconstitutional. Since Shapiro took office in 2023, state funding has risen by over $2 billion. Still, adequacy gaps exist because disparate tax bases mean local support – which covers about two-thirds of education funding in the commonwealth – mean poorer districts can't afford the same resources as their wealthier counterparts. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
DSNY announces milestones in fight against trash, rats in NYC
NEW YORK (PIX11) – Mayor Eric Adams says New York City is winning the war on trash and rats. PIX11's Kirstin Cole has the story. Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Clerks from all 55 WV counties gather for election conference at Canaan Valley
DAVIS, (WBOY) — While the 2026 elections may still be months away, county clerks and election officials from across the state gathered in Tucker County this week to prepare for the polls next year. Representatives from all 55 counties were in attendance at the Canaan Valley Resort in Davis for a three-day conference hosted by West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner and his Elections Division staff. 'We do this as a lead-up into each election, mid-term or general election. It's my first election conference as newly elected Secretary of State, so we're very pleased with the fact that, again, all 55 counties are participating,' Warner said. WVDEP approves permit for proposed Tucker County data center The conference focused on voter registration, federal guidelines, absentee voting, election day preparation, ADA compliance for polling locations, canvassing and election night reporting. Warner said that more than 200 representatives from across the state were present this week, and that events such as this help West Virginia's municipalities stay prepared for election season and allow citizens to vote with confidence. 'It's the clerks that get the job done, and when you have all 55 counties represented, you know that it's going to be another great year, and another election where people can show up and vote, and have confidence in the system, get unofficial results on election night and ten days later have those election results certified, so it's very rewarding,' Warner said. The 2026 Primary Election in West Virginia is set for Tuesday, May 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
