Jun. 30, 2016
HARRISBURG – On Thursday, June 30, Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike), David Parker (R-Monroe) and Jack Rader (R-Monroe) voted in favor of Senate Bill 1073, the final state budget plan for fiscal year 2016-17. This budget again received bipartisan support in the House, and contains no new or broad-based tax increases to Pennsylvania taxpayers. After the vote, the delegation made the following statement:
“Today, as we have sent this budget to the governor for his final approval, we are thankful he agreed to take broad-based tax hikes off the table for this year’s budget negotiations. Taxpayers and businesses across Monroe and Pike counties have told us repeatedly that they cannot afford to pay higher sales or income taxes, especially with the high rate of property taxes in our area. The House spent nine months of last fiscal year standing up for our taxpayers, and fighting against additional taxes.
“This budget spends $665 million in new funding for pre-K to 12th grade, which includes a $200 million increase in basic education funding. This funding will be distributed through the new, fairer funding formula, which will benefit our local schools.
“This year, while we are glad that there are no new or increased taxes for households, we are disappointed that there is no mention of property tax reform. We have stood united in being against broad-based tax increases without a direct reduction in property tax rates. We will continue to fight for property tax reform and how we collect money to fund our schools based on the value of our homes, as these remain the most stressing issues to our local people.
“We are glad the General Assembly was able to pass this budget on time, but looking forward, we hope budgets can be crafted based on needs, as opposed to the assumption that taxpayers are expected to pay more year after year.”
Representative Rosemary M. Brown, 189th District
Representative David Parker, 115th District
Representative Jack Rader, 176th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives