The latest property tax proposal threatening to zip through the Legislature is a bait-and-switch tactic concocted by Philadelphia Rep. John Perzel.

Long before slot machines were legalized in Pennsylvania, before Gov. Ed Rendell won election in 2002, proposals calling for casinos were based on the idea that some of the money they raised would be used to cut property taxes for all homeowners.

As gambling legislation moved in 2004, the proposals were refined to designate a large share of the state's slots revenue -- 34 percent -- for property tax relief. That takes two forms: a property tax rebate program, which already is generating checks to eligible senior citizens and disabled people, and general property tax relief for all property owners who have registered for a homestead exemption (except Philadelphians, who would see a cut in the wage tax).

Just when the state is getting closer to sending rebates to school districts so they can cut property tax bills, Rep. Perzel has made a slick sales pitch. Instead of giving every homeowner a few hundred dollars, he says, let's eliminate all school property taxes for seniors who earn less than $40,000 a year.

His amendment, which the House attached to a broader property tax reform bill on Tuesday, panders to the 630,000 Pennsylvanians who reliably show up at the polls on Election Day. But it would hurt the 3 million other homeowners who have been waiting for tax relief for too long.

The current plan for the slots revenue already is generous to the elderly and disabled. The state estimates that when the general tax relief and rebate programs both are paying out, 200,000 seniors will have their school and county property taxes completely eliminated.

The legalization of slot machine gambling was controversial, but opening casinos was sold on the promise that the revenue they generate would help the state's homeowners. The House must not go back on its word.

Members must see John Perzel's cynical ploy for what it is and put an end to it.