Reed: Governor Proposes Retroactive Tax Hike

HARRISBURG – House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana County) offered the following reaction to Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending proposal through fiscal year 2016-17, which he announced today. His plan would increase taxes on working Pennsylvanians and employers by $3.6 billion and spending by 10 percent, or $3 billion, to $33.3 billion.

"It is just not reality to think there is support for 15 new tax increases, including a retroactive increase in the Personal Income Tax, and just so he can spend more.

"Missing from the governor’s proposal is property tax reform, public pension reform, liquor privatization and spending accountability.

"What was even more loudly missing, though, is how the governor proposes to finish the last 13 percent of the current budget after he vetoed $6.3 billion. Before anyone asks for more taxes and more spending, shouldn’t we close out this year? Shouldn’t we finalize this year’s budget, then we can work together on the priorities for next year?

"We need to finish this year in a responsible way that meets the core functions of government and that taxpayers can actually afford."

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