The Mercury sent reporter Mike Hays and photographer John Strickler to the Save Our Homes Rally in Harrisburg today. They're on their way back and the newspaper will have full coverage of the event it its Tuesday edition.

In the meantime, here's a release from state Rep. Sam Rohrer, who helped organize the rally:

Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) would like to thank the hundreds of concerned taxpayers from across the Commonwealth who joined with him and several other state lawmakers in the Capitol rotunda today to demand the elimination of school property taxes through the implementation of the School Property Tax Elimination Act.

This bipartisan, pro-growth plan (House Bill 1275) seeks to replace all school property taxes and other local nuisance taxes by maintaining the current 6 percent sales tax and expanding it to include services. All residential homeowners would immediately benefit from the implementation of this plan.

"I would like to personally thank each and every concerned taxpayer from across this Commonwealth who took time away from families or jobs to travel to Harrisburg to make your voice heard," said Rohrer. "Your participation represents a tangible example of your commitment and speaks for the tens of thousands of taxpaying homeowners who, like you, will settle for nothing less than the total elimination of school property taxes. Now is the time for both the General Assembly and the governor to act on the pleas of our people and support the passage of the School Property Tax Elimination Act.

Organized in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Taxpayer's Cyber Coalition and 27 other grass roots taxpayer groups from throughout the Keystone State, today's Save Our Homes Rally featured legislators, local leaders, and concerned citizens who spoke out in support of House Bill 1275 and against the unbearable burden that school property taxes have become.

"For the past 30 years and counting, thousands of our citizens have been forced from the security of their homes, many built with their own hands, by the very government who has been constitutionally entrusted to ensure the security of their property," said Rohrer. "In sharp contrast, the School Property Tax Elimination Act offers both hope and freedom for all Commonwealth citizens because, rather than an insignificant reduction, it will eliminate 100 percent of school property taxes on all primary residences.

"Furthermore, through the implementation of House Bill 1275, both the Legislature and governor hold the key to potentially providing relief for already overburdened taxpayers during these difficult economic times. The skyrocketing food, energy, and transportation costs, combined with rising property taxes have drained the budgets of countless homeowners. This bill provides the best solution to the problem by protecting the constitutional rights of homeowners to be secure in their homes while freeing up citizens' budgets to allow for the rising costs of food and energy," added Rohrer.

For more information on the School Property Tax Elimination Act, visit SamRohrer.com or PTCC.us