The following is a transcript of a report by Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons that first aired March 1, 2007, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5:30 p.m.

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Who doesn't remember the November Team 4 Investigation when reporter Jim Parsons set up picnics on the lawns of estates in Sewickley Heights?

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Team 4's Initial Investigation

Team 4's First Follow-Up

Team 4's Second Follow-Up

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The owners weren't too happy with Parsons, even though they are getting huge property tax breaks, because their land is supposed to be open to the public.

That Team 4 Investigation is now bringing about possible change.

State lawmaker Sen. Wayne Fontana announced on Thursday his plans to close the loopholes that Team 4 exposed in the Clean and Green program.

In November, Team 4 exposed big property assessment breaks going to million dollar mansions, country clubs and properties that are supposed to be farms but aren't.

Eleven hundred properties in Allegheny County are benefiting from a statewide program called Clean and Green, which was designed to preserve green space.

"The Clean and Green program is well-intentioned and environmentally responsible," said Councilman Bill Lestitian. "Unfortunately, because of several of these loopholes, the public's confidence in the program has been eroded."

That erosion of confidence came after Team 4 illustrated how some properties getting Clean and Green tax breaks for being open to the public for recreational use were not really open at all.

"They have these big mansions on these acres, and they can afford their taxes, but now it's not happening, and the other taxpayers have to carry the load," said Fontana.

Fontana is introducing a bill designed to close the Clean and Green loopholes statewide.

Most properties in the program would have to be 30 acres or more in size, instead of the current 10. It would forbid properties used for commercial entertainment like country clubs. Property owners in the program would be required to file a form every three years confirming their land is still eligible for a preferential assessment. And county assessors would have to inspect new properties entering the program within six months.

"We certainly aren't doing this to hurt anybody who legitimately should be in that program, but we're trying to weed out the ones that should be out," said Fontana.

Team 4 crunched some numbers Thursday afternoon based on Fontana's proposed amendment for a minimum lot size of 30 acres instead of 10. If that were the law now, almost half of the 1,100 properties getting Clean and Green tax breaks in Allegheny County would be out of the program.

Fontana said his bill has a good shot at being passed, because he has lined up support from the State Association of County Commissioners.

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