Nonprofits' Property Tax Breaks Under Scrutiny in Pa.

Local Pa. government leaders have complained for years that the property tax exemption enjoyed by large nonprofit organizations such as hospitals deprives counties, municipalities and school districts of critical revenue they could be using to provide services.

Charities have argued they provide critical public services that far outweigh the taxes they would otherwise be paying.

The debate could land on the ballot in Pennsylvania next year in the form of a constitutional amendment that would grant lawmakers, and not the judiciary, the right to determine which nonprofits qualify for the tax break.