Aug. 31, 2017
Area leaders, taxpayers, officials to discuss Senate-approved tax increases
UNIONTOWN – In response to the Senate’s revenue plan, which includes new or increased taxes on Pennsylvanians’ utility bills and online purchases, the House Taxpayers’ Caucus will hold a hearing in Fayette County at Rep. Matthew Dowling’s request.
The hearing will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Park Inn by Radisson,
700 W. Main St., Uniontown, at 1 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to provide context for the legislators in attendance as to how this plan will affect families, businesses and industries throughout the Commonwealth.
The Senate-proposed tax increases in
House Bill 542 passed the Senate with 14 members of the Senate Republican caucus and 12 Senate Democrats voting in the affirmative on July 27. Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) opposes the proposed tax increases and voted against the General Fund spending package (
House Bill 218) on June 30.
The Taxpayers’ Caucus, which is holding the informal hearing, was created as a result of the 2015-16 budget impasse by members of the House and Senate with the purpose of changing the culture of Harrisburg. To achieve a cultural change, the caucus advocates for reforms, which improve financial accountability and oversight while protecting taxpayers.
Dowling, who called for the Uniontown hearing, noted that at a previous hearing he attended, he was presented with the Pennsylvania State Tax Analysis Modeling Program (PA STAMP), developed by economists at the Beacon Hill Institute, which studies the economic impact of current and emerging policy issues.
“The model shows that these tax increases, suggested by the Senate and supported by Gov. Tom Wolf, total $600 million dollars. Based on our population that comes to roughly $180 in additional taxes for every family of four,” he said. “The Senate’s tax plan will impose the 11th highest tax burden in the nation on median income households.”
With this hearing taking place in the Southwest, Dowling hopes it will give more of his collogues an opportunity to hear more about the tax proposal before a vote takes place in the House. Additionally, Dowling stressed the importance of hearing how these taxes would change the economic landscape in Fayette and Somerset counties.
Confirmed testifiers include: Muriel Nuttall, executive director of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce; Bob Shark, executive director of the FayPenn Economic Development Council; Elizabeth Stelle, director of policy analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation; as well as representatives from Chevron, the Dollar Energy Fund, Americans For Prosperity, and taxpayers of the 51st Legislative District.
The Sept. 7 hearing will be open to the public and, barring technical difficulties, will be streamed live at
RepDowling.com and rebroadcast on FCTV Atlantic Broadband Channel 77. Audio from the hearing will also be rebroadcast on WMBS Radio 590 AM/101.1 FM on Friday, Sept. 8, at 4:15 p.m.
For additional information, please contact Dowling’s district office at 724-438-6100.
Representative Matthew Dowling
51st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepDowling.com /
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