Even though state legislators have conflicting political views, most agree that Pennsylvania is screaming for local tax reform.

The state has formed a bipartisan Local Tax Reform Caucus allowing counties, municipalities and school districts the ability to shift the reliance on property and nuisance taxes to a personal income tax.

State Rep. Lynn Herman, a caucus member, said he has been working on local tax reform since the beginning of the state legislature's session. The proposed legislation would reduce the burden of property tax on Pennsylvanians, said Herman, R-Philipsburg.

"I hope we can have a decision soon," Herman said, adding that he does not know how many different tax reform bills will be introduced to the state legislature.

State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, who joined bipartisan efforts to adopt local tax reform, said he hopes legislation will be enacted in the coming year. The comprehensive 13-bill reform package introduced on Nov. 22 calls for reform in a variety of areas, ranging from income and sales taxes replacing property taxes to changes in assessment law.

"There are numerous proposals to reform local taxation and assessment," Hanna said. "While I cannot support all portions of every bill, this package contains some good solutions to our tax problems."

The most recent attempt at tax reform was defeated in a 1989 statewide referendum, but Hanna said property tax increases have demonstrated a need for change.

"Residents would be taxed by their ability to pay and not by the amount of property they own," Hanna said. "The current system is antiquated and unfair, especially to elderly Pennsylvanians who may own property but are on fixed incomes."

Michael Young, director of the institute of state and regional affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, said the basic thrust of local tax reform is to take the pressure off property taxes that continue to increase.

Since the tax reform defeat in 1989, legislators have been leery of tax reform, but now state representatives and senators seem to be more receptive to change. Although Lt. Gov. Mark Singel has not announced his candidacy, Young said he is definitely a candidate and will include tax reform on his campaign platform.

Young said Gov. Robert P. Casey has been receptive to questions about tax reform.

Republicans are calling for their own bipartisan tax reform, which will certainly have to be a compromise bill to pass the state legislature, Young said.

He added that as the tax system works now, property taxes do not respond to the needs of Pennsylvanians. Although the state is ready for tax change, Young said he does not expect to see reform until 1995.