Feb. 09, 2016
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-Chester) requests reactions from residents of the 74th District regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s $33.29 billion budget proposal, which would require a $2.7 billion tax increase. The feedback he receives will shape his approach to all upcoming budget conversations.
“As public servants, we are tasked with properly spending each and every taxpayer dollar. To do that, we must seek solutions to budget conversations that will fairly address the needs of Commonwealth citizens, not put up roadblocks,” Lewis said. “I want to be a state representative, not just someone who interferes with producing a budget that will help Pennsylvania residents.”
The $2.7 billion tax increase would be generated in part from an 11 percent increase in the Personal Income Tax, an expansion of the sales tax to include items such as cable television and movie tickets as well as a tax on all tobacco products.
None of the funding generated by the governor’s proposal would be dedicated to property tax relief or pension reform. Instead, almost half of the money allocated for preK-12 education would pay for school employees’ retirement. Without updating the system, more and more tax dollars will need to be driven to pensions each year, resulting in higher taxes or less money being available for all other programs.
“To see what people of our communities would like me to support, I will be reaching out to discuss the details of Gov. Wolf’s plan,” Lewis added. “I want to hear how it will impact the families of the district so I know what parts of the plan should be supported and what should be modified before we reach the final budget.”
Please email
hlewis@pahousegop.com or call the Downingtown district office at (610) 269-1289 with budget feedback. As more budget information becomes available, it may be found online at
PAHouseGOP.com.
Representative Harry Lewis
74th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
RepLewis.com /
Facebook.com/RepLewis