Petri Asks: ‘Which of Wolf’s Taxes Are You Willing to Pay?’
House passes no tax budget; Wolf proposes $8 billion tax hike
HARRISBURG – Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks) said the $30.8 billion General Fund budget passed in the House on Saturday funds the core functions of government, adds record levels of funding for basic education and does not raise taxes. The Legislature’s budget contrasts sharply with the budget proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf, who proposed a substantial tax hike to pay for a host of spending increases including K-12 education. In fact, the governor’s proposed new spending plan comes with a price tag of about $8 billion in new taxes.
“Unlike Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania has a balanced budget requirement, which means we cannot spend money we do not have,” said Petri. “The governor’s plan would increase our state sales tax by 40 percent and expand it to include about 300 more items not presently taxed – such as newspapers, textbooks, non-prescription drugs, nursing home care, college dorm rooms and more. It would also increase the income tax by 21 percent, further impacting one’s ability to pay for those massive tax increases. I believe the governor’s budget would be detrimental to Pennsylvania citizens and would thwart the Commonwealth’s economic recovery and result in job losses. That is why I voted for
House Bill 1192.”
The House budget plan would increase school funding to a record $11 billion, adding $25 million more for preK and $20 million more for special education. It would also include $5 million for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which provides educational scholarships. The budget increases funding for critical human services, programs serving those with disabilities, and drug and alcohol programs. It also includes more funding for environmental protection, reverses the governor’s proposed cuts to agricultural programs and research, and provides much-needed funding for Washington Crossing Historic Park. It does all of this without raising taxes.
“As the former vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, I believe we have passed a sensible and sustainable state budget that takes into account the many needs of Pennsylvania citizens and addresses the fiscal realities of the Commonwealth. We have sent our budget to the governor for his signature. The next step depends on whether the governor acknowledges that an additional $8 billion in taxes is an undue burden on Pennsylvania families that will harm our economy and lead to a loss of jobs.
“I have developed a survey that asks which of Gov. Wolf’s taxes you would like to pay,” said Petri. “Your responses are encouraged.”
Visit
www.RepPetri.com and see “Wolf Tax Survey.”
Representative Scott Petri
178th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
RepPetri.com