Quigley Votes Against Personal Income Tax Increase
Lawmaker says property tax relief was window dressing – money that would disappear.
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) joined the majority of his colleagues in the state House today as they voted against Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to raise income taxes on hard-working Pennsylvanians. The governor’s proposal would have increased the Personal Income Tax (PIT) by 16 percent (from 3.07 percent to 3.57 percent) while providing minimal property tax relief for less than 2 percent of the population in two years.
“The property tax relief included in this proposal was window dressing. With no cap or elimination of property taxes, and no cost controls on items like pensions, any ‘relief’ would be eaten up as quickly as it appeared,” Quigley said.
Quigley also noted that in his interactions across the 146th District as another part of why he voted against this proposal.
“I’ve talked with numerous local residents, and they have overwhelmingly told me, ‘Don’t raise our taxes,” Quigley noted. “The people of my District do not want a 16 percent income tax increase, especially when it comes with no other real relief.”
Looking more closely at the governor’s proposal, one also sees that the minor expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program in his plan would not have taken effect until July 2017, though income taxes would have become effective Jan. 1, 2016.
“While the governor’s plan failed today, I am prepared to work together to achieve property tax relief that benefits all homeowners. This issue affects countless citizens in the Commonwealth, just as the budget impasse is creating a great struggle. Both demand our attention, and I remain committed to addressing those needs in an honest manner.”
The governor’s plan would have imposed a 3.5 percent severance tax plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet. The natural gas impact fee would have remained unchanged under his plan.
“Considering the current market price, the severance tax would only generate $67 million this year,” Quigley said. “While it would be ideal if the severance tax would fund education and property tax relief, that’s just not the case. We must acknowledge that the $67 million is a far cry from the $1 billion the governor said it would generate. Let’s start an honest conversation.”
Representative Tom Quigley
146th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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