Mar. 03, 2015
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) released the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget proposal for the 2015-16 fiscal year:
“Today’s proposal represents a starting point in our budget process and I look forward to the opportunity to work with my colleagues and the governor to advance solutions that will benefit Pennsylvanians and address the needs of middle-class families. While the governor’s proposal was only unveiled a few hours ago and will require careful review in the coming weeks, here is what we already know:
“The governor’s proposal includes $4.7 billion in new state spending – a 16 percent increase over last year. To pay for this, it includes a 20 percent increase in the personal income tax and a 10 percent increase in the sales tax. On top of that, the proposal adds taxes on middle-class necessities we have never before taxed in Pennsylvania, such as diapers, day care and nursing home expenses. It even goes so far as to tax wheelchairs and walkers for people with disabilities.
“I believe that if enacted, these historic tax increases would threaten working families’ quality of life and our state’s economic competitiveness. While our Commonwealth faces challenges, such an extreme tax-and-spend approach is not our ticket to prosperity. There is much work to do in the coming months to arrive at a final budget that adequately addresses the needs of our region, our job creators and the Pennsylvania taxpayer.
“I recognize that the residents of Elk and Clearfield Counties have sent me to Harrisburg to advocate for their priorities and for responsible government. They expect me to work to achieve consensus by working with my colleagues from across the state. I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to this important work.
Questions about this or any legislation should be directed to Gabler’s Clearfield office at (814) 765-0593, his DuBois office at (814) 375-4688 or his St. Marys office at (814) 781-6301.
Representative Matt Gabler
75th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
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