Lehigh County Wealth Tax Hearing: Why 120+ Residents Showed Up to Push Back — And How GLVR Fought for Property Owners

More than 120 people packed the Historic Lehigh County Courthouse on June 17, 2026 — and the vast majority were there for one reason: to push back against a proposed “wealth tax” that many fear would raise housing costs, drive residents out of the Lehigh Valley, and hurt the people it claims to help.

The Lehigh County Commissioners’ finance committee held a public hearing on restoring the intangible personal property tax — a tax that hasn’t been collected in the county since 1992. The proposal, floated by County Controller Mark Pinsley, would target assets like secondary homes, rental properties, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and S corporations.

Another 60 or so people attended virtually, though technical issues limited online participation.

GLVR’s Asher Schiavone Takes the Stand

The loudest applause of the night went to Asher Schiavone, Director of Government Affairs for the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR), who was invited to testify as an expert witness. Asher made a clear, compelling case for why this tax would hurt Lehigh Valley families.

Schiavone argued that bringing back the tax would directly raise housing costs. Here’s why:

• The tax would apply to rental properties, and landlords would almost certainly pass the cost on to renters
• Smaller landlords — many of whom are local families, not corporations — might be forced to sell due to the complexity and cost of the tax
• That could lead to more corporate ownership of rental properties in the Lehigh Valley, the exact opposite of what the tax’s supporters claim to want

“I would hope that overspending by $3 million sounds like an expense problem, not a revenue problem,” Schiavone said — drawing the loudest cheers of the night.

Sean LaSalle’s Story Hits Home

One of the most moving moments of the evening came from Sean LaSalle, who shared a deeply personal story with the commissioners. After his brother passed away, Sean set up investment accounts for his two nephews through a GoFundMe, raising $9,000 for each boy. Through careful investing, he grew that to $32,000 for each nephew — money meant to give the boys the financial support their father could no longer provide.

The proposed intangible personal property tax would hit those very accounts.

“That, to me, is not setting someone else up for success,” Lasalle said of taxing the investments. His testimony drew audible emotion from the room and underscored the real human cost of the proposal.

Thank you to Sean LaSalle for sharing his story and for standing up for Lehigh Valley families.

What Others Had to Say

Throughout the night, members of the public voiced strong opposition. Cliff Lewis, Jack Gross, Jason Hall, Lori Campbell, and Justin Porembo were among those who raised concerns about the impact the tax would have on homeowners, small business owners, and investors in the Lehigh Valley.

Their message was consistent: the government needs to act responsibly and be held accountable, and a new tax would only encourage people to move across the county line into Berks County, pushing wealth and investment out of the area.

“Keep your hands out of my pocket” was a refrain heard throughout the evening, summed up by James Rieger of Emmaus.

How the Commissioners Responded

By the end of the night, four commissioners from across the political spectrum — Democrats Geoff Brace and Dan Hartzell, Republican Antonio Pineda, and independent Ron Beitler — said they would not support the measure if formal legislation ever reached the board.

Commissioner Beitler noted that 94 of the 95 letters and emails sent to the commissioners’ office ahead of the meeting were opposed to the tax.

Commissioner Hartzell put it bluntly: the tax would hit seniors on limited incomes, including his own 94-year-old mother. “Bottom line is, I don’t think this is the way to do it, and certainly not now.”

Three other Democrats — Sarah Fevig, Jon Irons, and April Riddick — expressed a willingness to explore the concept given the county’s financial constraints but stopped short of endorsing any legislation. Riddick noted that cutting services like mental health funding at a time when federal support is shrinking was not a reasonable option.

Why This Matters for Lehigh Valley Homeowners and Investors

This hearing is a reminder that policy decisions at the county level can directly impact your property taxes, rental income, and real estate investments. That’s why having strong representation — like the GLVR Government Affairs Committee — working year-round behind the scenes is so important.

Most people only hear about the committee when a high-profile issue makes the news, but the reality is that this group is working throughout the year on issues that impact homeowners, property rights, housing affordability, supply, private property ownership, economic development, and the overall strength of local communities.

Their biggest successes often go unnoticed — identifying unintended consequences before they impact homeowners and communities. Asher’s testimony, Sean’s story, and the voices of Cliff, Jack, Jason, Lori, Justin, and so many others show the knowledge, professionalism, and commitment that GLVR brings to the table on behalf of property owners, buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and the communities we serve.

The Bottom Line

The intangible personal property tax is not dead — but for now, it’s on the back burner. Commissioner Fevig, who organized the hearing, called it a success and said she wants to “digest everything that happened tonight.”

For Lehigh Valley property owners and investors, the takeaway is clear: stay informed, stay involved, and work with professionals who understand both the market and the policy landscape.

Well done to Asher Schiavone and thank you to everyone who dedicates their time to the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® Government Affairs Committee. Your work matters.

Want to Learn More?

Whether you’re a homeowner, investor, or property owner in the Lehigh Valley, I’m here to help you navigate the market and protect your interests.

• Phone: (484) 275-0056
• Email: timtepes@gmail.com
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