Letter to the editor: 25% capacity should mean 75% decrease in rent, plus property tax relief

So now we have Gov. Tom Wolf deciding (under advice from Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine) to “lock down” statewide bars/restaurants again to slow the spread of the covid-19 virus hysterical overreaction. These small businesses must now operate at only 25% capacity and jump through a bunch of hoops for the privilege of staying open (or risk their licenses being revoked). There is no way these establishments can survive with a constraint of one-quarter occupancy.

My suggestion, so we really are “all in this together,” is that every day there is a state-mandated 25% occupancy requirement, then there will be a corresponding 75% decrease in rent due to landlords for that same time period, as their leased property is now only worth 25% to them. Then pass that loss by landlords along to the county/local township/school district in the form of property/school tax abatement for the same period. Not a “deferment” of rent or taxes due, but a waiver (not added to future payment). Those government “departments” will just have to make do with what revenue they get (just like the businesses have to).

When it starts affecting these government entities’ coffers, then and only then will we be truly “all in this together,” and not before.

Greg Massung

North Huntingdon