Feb. 09, 2016
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Mifflin/Centre) issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his $33.3 billion budget proposal for 2016-17, which again seeks to increase government spending and raise taxes on working Pennsylvanians.
“The governor clearly plans to continue his mission of raising taxes on working men and women in order to further grow state government. The people I represent have made it clear to me that they are against any broad-based tax increases that will further hurt their financial situation.
“I think before we proceed any further with the 2016-17 budget talks, we need to complete the remaining 13 percent of the 2015-16 state budget that the governor cut from the signed budget. We then need to step back and look at what we can learn from this past year and work together more cooperatively to reach a workable solution that will not further harm those services, programs and institutions that are supported by the state budget.
“I am disappointed the governor has not realized by now that he does not have the backing of the General Assembly or the public in passing any broad-based tax increases, such as his plan to increase the Personal Income Tax by 11 percent, and have it be retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. Without that support, he needs to rethink ways in which we can cut costs and reduce government inefficiencies.
“There is a great deal of work to do in the coming months in order to reach an agreed-to budget. I am hopeful the governor is willing to compromise this year and do what is best for the taxpayers whom he wants to foot the bill for his spending priorities.
“I still believe we can adequately support our public schools and create an environment that fosters the type of business community that will produce more family-sustaining jobs, and I remain committed to that goal.”
For more information on the 2016-17 state budget, go to
pahousegop.com.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepIrvin.com /
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