The arrest last week of Carlisle's tax collector on criminal charges has the Borough's council president calling for reform of the state's tax collection system. Perry Heath says the current process is antiquated, outdated and inefficient.
The qualifications to be a tax collector are rather slim. You only need to be a registered voter in the jurisdiction where you would serve.
The state offers a voluntary certification program, but few take the training and complete the test. In fact, there are only seven certified tax collectors in Cumberland County, five in Dauphin County, one in Perry County and none in Lebanon County.
George Hicks, Jr. isn't the only tax collector who found himself on the wrong side of the law. Lower Swatara Township's former tax collector is serving 12 months house arrest for stealing more than $220,000 in tax funds. And a former South Middleton Township tax collector is on probation for five years for taking nearly $300,000 in public money for personal use.
Under state law, the tax collector, who reports to no one, is responsible for the collection of taxpayer money with no accountability.
Hicks was arrested for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer on two separate occasions. Earlier this week, Cumberland County Court permitted him to retain the title and salary, but he can not do any work until the criminal charges are addressed.
Meanwhile, borough staff has assumed tax collection responsibilities. Hicks' trial is at least six months away.
Reform won't come in easy in the General Assembly. The Tax Collector's Association is a powerful lobbying organization.
In its mission statement, the group says it is "only as strong as the powers its members can collectively wield among those who influence their profession.
The qualifications to be a tax collector are rather slim. You only need to be a registered voter in the jurisdiction where you would serve.
The state offers a voluntary certification program, but few take the training and complete the test. In fact, there are only seven certified tax collectors in Cumberland County, five in Dauphin County, one in Perry County and none in Lebanon County.
George Hicks, Jr. isn't the only tax collector who found himself on the wrong side of the law. Lower Swatara Township's former tax collector is serving 12 months house arrest for stealing more than $220,000 in tax funds. And a former South Middleton Township tax collector is on probation for five years for taking nearly $300,000 in public money for personal use.
Under state law, the tax collector, who reports to no one, is responsible for the collection of taxpayer money with no accountability.
Hicks was arrested for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer on two separate occasions. Earlier this week, Cumberland County Court permitted him to retain the title and salary, but he can not do any work until the criminal charges are addressed.
Meanwhile, borough staff has assumed tax collection responsibilities. Hicks' trial is at least six months away.
Reform won't come in easy in the General Assembly. The Tax Collector's Association is a powerful lobbying organization.
In its mission statement, the group says it is "only as strong as the powers its members can collectively wield among those who influence their profession.