Irvin Reacts to Governor’s 2015-16 Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) issued the following statement today after being present for the Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2015-16 budget address in Harrisburg earlier today. The governor is proposing a 16 percent increase in spending over the current year’s budget for a total budget of $33.8 billion.
“As a former county treasurer, I understand the challenges of balancing a budget; however, the proposal put forth by the governor today seeks to increase spending beyond sustainable levels, while increasing taxes that will have a direct, negative impact on Pennsylvania families.
“Governor Wolf is proposing double-digit increases on the Personal Income Tax and sales tax, along with implementing a severance tax on the natural gas industry. The Personal Income Tax increase alone will cost Pennsylvanians hundreds of dollars a year, and the severance tax will place additional burdens on an industry that is already paying millions of dollars in business taxes and impact fees. The sales tax would not only be increased, but he is proposing to expand it to include tax on things like baby diapers, day care expenses and wheelchairs.
“Although I applaud him on wanting to increase funding in areas like public safety, education and human services, I think during the current economy and with the public pension crisis looming before us we need to concentrate more on areas where we can reduce spending, not where we can increase it.
“This is my first time through the state budget process and I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a final budget that will help Pennsylvania families and businesses succeed, instead of burying them in taxes and debt.”
For more information on the 2015-16 state budget, go to
www.PAHouseGOP.com.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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