Feb. 09, 2016
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Buter) today in Harrisburg said the budget proposal delivered by Gov. Tom Wolf that calls for billions of dollars in news spending and a handful of new or increased taxes will need significant improvements as it makes its way through the legislative process.
“The governor’s proposal is definitely a fixer-upper,” James said. “I hope the governor is more willing to negotiate with the Legislature this year and finish the state budget in a timely manner.”
Wolf’s proposal calls for a record-breaking $33 billion in spending for the new budget that should be adopted by July 1. It also calls for billions of dollars in additional spending to supplement the budget he signed into law in December. The governor unilaterally cut billions of dollars of funding for schools and other programs and services from that budget.
“I hope the governor does not cut $3 billion in funding for students in the upcoming budget like he did in December,” James said.
Wolf’s budget would increase the state Personal Income Tax by 11 percent and expand the state sales tax to cover items that currently are exempt.
“The governor’s income tax hike would directly impact working families,” James said. “The governor appears to be committed to taking more money out of the pockets of working Pennsylvanians.”
The governor’s budget proposal also would continue his trend of cutting funding for agricultural programs that benefit Pennsylvania farmers.
“Agriculture is a huge economic driver in our Commonwealth,” James said. “The governor’s cuts have significant consequences for Pennsylvania farmers.”
James said the governor’s budget proposal also would harm the state’s tourism industry, which generates economic activity and provides jobs for many Pennsylvanians.
“Pennsylvania needs pro-jobs policies that will move our economy forward and promote economic growth,” James said. “The governor’s budget proposal would harm two of Pennsylvania’s most important economic sectors – agriculture and tourism – and threaten the livelihoods of our workers.”
The House Appropriations Committee will soon begin a series of hearings to dig deeper into the specifics of the governor’s budget proposal.
Representative Lee James
64th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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