Knowles: Pennsylvania Can’t Afford Governor Wolf’s Budgeting
Lawmaker issues statement in response to governor’s budget proposal
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) issued the following statement today regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year:
“Today the governor decided to scold the Legislature instead of presenting his budget proposal. He never mentioned details of what he would include. He didn’t mention that he wants a nearly $4 billion tax increase. He didn’t mention that his proposal would equate to a nearly 8 percent spending increase for fiscal year 2016-17. His address today was nothing more than a juvenile scolding. To him, a sustainable revenue source is taking more and more money out of the taxpayers’ pockets to spend however he’d like. With a plan like that, I don’t blame him for not providing any details – that’s how bad it is.
“The people I represent have spoken loud and clear, and I’ve heard them. They cannot afford massive, widespread tax increases to be forced on their already stressed personal budgets. That’s why it troubles me to know that Gov. Wolf thinks massive tax and spend hikes is the only way to construct a budget for Pennsylvania.
“I am hopeful that the governor realizes that the proposal released today is not a done deal. To achieve a responsible budget for the people of Pennsylvania, the governor must work with the Legislature to complete the process – it’s not a one-man job. Negotiations are essential for this process to work properly. What we saw today is a governor who perceives himself as the king of Pennsylvania, scolding members of the General Assembly, whom he perceives to be his servants.”
For more information about this statement, or any other legislative topic, contact Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411. Information can also be found online at
RepKnowles.com or
Facebook.com/RepKnowles.
Representative Jerry Knowles
124th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
kcorbin@pahousegop.com
RepKnowles.com /
Facebook.com/RepKnowles