Feb. 04, 2020
HARRISBURG - Following Gov. Tom Wolf’s annual budget address Tuesday in a joint session of the House and Senate, Rep. Mike Puskaric (R-Allegheny/Washington) issued the following statement:
“The governor’s budget address represents a starting point. The House and Senate will take time to review the governor’s proposal and make improvements where necessary.
“I’m cautiously optimistic. There are areas of common ground, such as work-force development which is a critical component to our economy.
“However, the governor is once again seeking to impose a natural gas extraction tax on our region’s job-creating energy producers. This is critical to those who live in Allegheny and Washington counties and those who would relocate to western Pennsylvania because natural gas is creating tens of thousands of good paying jobs. A tax on this industry would be a very tough pill for this area to swallow.
“The big question is how are we going to pay for everything the governor is proposing. The governor’s proposal is $2 billion more than last year. I want to see a budget that holds the line on taxes, adds money to the Rainy Day Fund, and spends less than what the governor is proposing. It is imperative that we continue to look for reforms and ways to make government more efficient, instead of looking for ways to spend more tax dollars.
“What we need to do is live within our means and pass a responsible budget. We can’t spend what we don’t have.”
To view Rep. Puskaric’s comments following the governor’s budget address, click here.
Representative Mike Puskaric
39th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437 (office), 717.497.8478 (cell)
Rleiner@pahousegop.com
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