HARRISBURG - Voters soon may have their say about whether they would rather pay higher sales tax to offset property tax, but lawmakers won't have to follow their wishes.

The House Finance Committee today forwarded a bill providing for a non-binding referendum in November. The full House could take up the bill tonight and forward it to the Senate for action.

Committee members forwarded the bill on an 18-16 vote on nearly straight party lines. If the full house agrees, voters will be asked on the November ballot whether they favor replacing 100 percent of residential and commercial property taxes with sales tax.

The proposal was a distraction from budget talks, which were expected to last into the night.

Democrats largely opposed, saying non-binding votes are not helpful and that legislators are supposed to make tough decisions on tax issues, not pass that buck to their constituents.

"Why would we want to go through this exercise? It's like taking a straw poll," said Rep. Thomas M. Tigue, D-Luzerne.

Committee Chairman Dennis E. Leh, R-Berks, who proposed the measure, said the Legislature hasn't been able to provide substantial property-tax reductions despite 30 years of trying.

Three weeks ago, the legislature approved a modest tax-relief plan aimed mostly at senior citizens.

"Every time we put our heads together, we fail to come to any meaningful property tax relief," said Committee Chairman Dennis E. Leh, R-Bucks, who proposed the non-binding referendum. "We simply cannot come to grips with it and get it done in a meaningful manner."

Some committee Democrats, though, said Mr. Leh's proposed ballot question doesn't provide direction

"I would like some direction on whether we go up or we go out," said Rep. Shawn Flaherty, D-Shaler.

Rep. Carole Rubley, R-Chester, crossed party lines to oppose the measure.

"This will give people false hope that we can eliminate property taxes without telling them how we're going to do it," she said. "It's extremely disingenuous."

Some said the Republican-led effort appears aimed at getting out the vote for GOP candidates.

"The real purpose is to get people to come out and vote, and the issue they [want to put on the ballot] plays big in Republican districts," said Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District.