NEAT NUMERALS
Those numbers are in the news.

3

Real estate tax assessments are out of whack across the state, but Philadelphia may take the cake.

A recent study showed that just three percent of the city's assessments are accurate. On average, the real estate values on city tax books are 40 percent off.

The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that all properties be taxed consistently at the same percentage of their market value.

Many counties would probably look bad if they came under the same scrutiny applied in Philadelphia. Potter County, for example, is taxing property on values that were set in 1977.

90

Gas prices have resulted in more Americans carpooling, walking, bicycling or boarding mass transit to get to work.

Entering 2008, some 90 percent of U.S. employees drove to work. A recent study shows that the number has plunged to about 75 percent.

If some of the more dire forecasts are on-target, the price of oil could reach $200, which could cause a gallon of gas to soar past the $6.00 mark.

2

Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County is one of two locations recognized by the International Dark Sky Association as an "International Dark Sky Park." The other is Utah's Natural Bridges National Monument.

IDA members are impressed with the view of the Milky Way Galaxy's nucleus and other features from Cherry Springs.

City dwellers usually glimpse fewer than 500 stars, reports Forbes Magazine. In the most undisturbed areas, such as Cherry Springs, some 15,000 stars are on display.

800M

State lawmakers realize that they need to do more to help local communities deal with deteriorating water and sewage treatment systems.

Last week, the Pa. Senate unanimously approved a plan to borrow $800 million to help local governments with infrastructure work. Under the Senate measure, local governments would have to match each grant, dollar for dollar.

A separate measure has been introduced in the House. Under that plan, voters in November would be asked if they favor a $400 million bond issue to pay for sewage and water projects across the state.

It might sound like a major shot in the arm, but the truth is that Pennsylvania communities need a lot more - about $20 billion - to meet the minimum standards imposed on them by federal and state mandates.

In dozens of communities, stormwater runoff ends up infiltrating sewage system piping and causes treatment plants to exceed their capacity.

4

With copper fetching about $4.00 per pound from salvagers, thieves have gone to extremes to acquire it. Demand for many types of scrap metal on the world market has brought with it an increase in thievery of junked metal from salvage yards, vacated homes and railroads.

Often, thieves strip copper from poles along railroad rights-of-way or break into homes and camps to take copper plumbing fixtures.

New York State has enacted a law that requires identification from anyone bringing in loads of non-ferrous materials valued at $50 or more.

74

A collection of outdated and unwanted medicine in Elk County attracted 74 people who turned in 258 pounds of non-controlled substances and about 30 pounds of controlled medicines.

Pills were brought in from Cameron, Elk and McKean counties. After an inventory is completed, the medicine will be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

Pharmaceuticals have been found in water supplies throughout the nation as a result of irresponsible disposal. They can also attract thieves, police say.