Major Says Governor Again Calling for Broad-Based Taxes on Working Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG – Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) said the governor’s call for more broad-based taxes on working men and women in order to fund the growth of state government is disappointing.
In total, the governor is proposing a $33.3 billion budget for 2016-17, which would include an 11 percent increase in the Personal Income Tax along with more items included under the Sales and Use Tax and a 6.5 percent severance tax on natural gas drillers.
“We are at a critical time with an unresolved budget for 2015-16 and still no progress on public pension reform. The governor today said he basically wants what he wanted last year – more spending and more taxes – even though he clearly does not have the support of the General Assembly or the public to do so. We need to stop repeating the past and look for new ways in which to work together toward common goals,” said Major.
Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal would also continue the elimination of funding for valuable agriculture programs, such as agriculture research, agriculture promotion, hardwoods research, livestock shows and open dairy shows.
“Agriculture is our state’s No. 1 industry and to reduce funding for programs that help move that industry forward could be detrimental,” said Major. “His lack of priority for the agriculture industry is of great concern.”
Wolf also stated he is proposing to eliminate funding in his 2016-17 budget proposal for important health care line items, such as regional cancer institutes, regional poison control centers, trauma prevention, epilepsy support services, bio-tech research, ALS support services and diabetes programs.
“To propose raising taxes by nearly $3 billion and then not include funding for health care initiatives like regional cancer centers and poison control centers is troubling. Our first priority in government is the health and safety of those we represent and that means making sure these services have the funding necessary to continue their mission of helping people at critical times in their lives,” said Major.
“This budget is in many ways a repeat of last year’s budget, which clearly lacked the support of the General Assembly and the public,” continued Major. “The people I represent don’t want more money taken out of their paychecks to pay for even bigger government. I will continue to fight for the well-being of those I represent, which includes making sure they are not more financially challenged than they already are after several years of a sluggish economy and small to no salary increases for many.
For more information on the 2016-17 state budget, go to
pahousegop.com.
Representative Sandra Major
111th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717. 772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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