Rothman Introduces Legislation that Would Prohibit Commuter Tax

HARRISBURG – Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) has introduced legislation that would prohibit a commuter tax from being imposed, while allowing Harrisburg to exit Act 47 receivership and “distressed” status.

House Bill 2557 states that there will be a prohibition on imposing a tax or fee on the earned income of non-residents. Read it here.

“I spent my entire career, in the private sector and now in the House of Representatives, working to revitalize the city of Harrisburg for its residents and the more than 40,000 commuters who work in the city,” said Rothman. “The City of Harrisburg is the heart of the region. We need a healthy city. However, we don’t need a commuter tax levied on the workers in Harrisburg and its imposition would be devasting to attracting and maintaining private investment to the city.”

In 1998, Rothman founded the Harrisburg Young Professionals with his colleagues to attract businesses to the city. The organization celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. In his position as a state House representative, Rothman has many constituents in the 87th District who commute to work in the city.

If a commuter tax was implemented, many of these constituents would be disincentivized to keep their jobs in the capitol city, thus limiting the contributions to Harrisburg’s local businesses.

Rothman believes that burdening the people of Central Pennsylvania with a commuter tax, in addition to high income, sales and property taxes, would be detrimental to their prosperity.

“The economy of Harrisburg affects the surrounding suburbs and we should work to ensure that it is healthy for the long term,” said Rothman.

Rothman will be testifying at a joint public hearing with the House Finance, Local Government and Urban Affairs committees on Act 47 this coming Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 9 a.m.

Representative Greg Rothman
87th 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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