Feb. 05, 2019
HARRISBURG — Rep. Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $34.15 billion budget proposal:
“For the second straight year, I was encouraged to hear the governor propose no broad-based tax increases. This is just the first step in the budget process, and the governor’s wish list. We need to determine what is a want and what is a need.
“While I think we all can agree that our Commonwealth’s infrastructure could be improved, I am not on board with adding a severance tax on Marcellus Shale to accomplish this. The natural gas industry already pays an impact fee that has generated $1.7 billion since 2012.
“I was heartened to hear the governor talk about workforce development and preparing our young people for the jobs that are available today and in the future. Pennsylvania is currently facing a shortage of qualified workers for some family-sustaining jobs. My legislation, House Bill 297 this session, would increase student awareness about workforce needs and opportunities. Identical legislation that I sponsored last session passed the House, but not the Senate. I hope we are able to get this important bill to the governor’s desk this year.”
For more information on the 2019-20 state budget, go to
pahousegop.com.
The 183rd District includes South Whitehall (part), Washington and Whitehall (part) townships and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County. It also consists of Allen, Lehigh and Moore (part) townships, and North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport boroughs in Northampton County.
Representative Zachary Mako
183rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepMako.com /
Facebook.com/RepMako