By The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 12:49 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, October 2, 2012

HARRISBURG -- Volunteer firefighters and other first-responders could be rewarded with special tax breaks under bill approved by the state House of Representatives.

The House approved the measure 195-to-0 on Tuesday.

If approved by the Senate, the legislation would authorize local governments to provide credits on earned-income and property taxes for volunteers serving as firefighters, emergency medical workers and other first responders.

The bill's main sponsor, Rep. John Hornaman, says the tax breaks would help reverse a downward trend in the number of volunteers who many Pennsylvanians rely on for prompt assistance in fires and other emergencies.

The Erie County Democrat says volunteers provide $6 billion worth of services statewide.

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