Wolf Budget Address Lacks Good News For Taxpayers, Says Hahn
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf plans to pursue an expanded sales tax and increased Personal Income Tax as part of his budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year. During today’s budget address, the governor expressed a desire to raise the Personal Income Tax from 3.07 percent to 3.4 percent for 2016-17, and make it retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. He also wants to add sales tax to basic cable television bills and movie theater ticket purchases, as well as increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.
State Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s proposal:
“Today’s budget address by Gov. Wolf was one of the shortest I’ve heard – short in duration and short on details. Maybe he knows support for the broad-based tax increases he wants don’t exist in the General Assembly. I know the majority of taxpayers in the district with whom I’ve spoken want state government to live within its means rather than reach further into their wallets.
“He told us why we need to pass a budget, but wasn’t up front with the people of Pennsylvania as to how he thinks we should accomplish that. ‘The devil is in the details,’ which include tax increases that have repeatedly failed to garner the necessary votes and a continued failure to address property tax relief the residents of the Lehigh Valley deserve.
“The governor has been given ample time to gather support for his proposals during the current fiscal year and has come up short. Now he wants to retrace those steps, hoping for a different result. He needs to face reality and chart a different course, one that has the votes to pass in the General Assembly.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Hahn’s district office at (610) 746-2100.
Representative Marcia Hahn
138th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
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