Feb. 09, 2016
HARRISBURG— Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Alleghany) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal:
“Today, the governor unveiled his latest state spending plan, which includes $2.7 billion in higher taxes and increases cost of government by nearly 10 percent.
“The governor’s plan would increase the Personal Income Tax on working Pennsylvanians by 11 percent, not only for the upcoming fiscal year, but retroactively. It would also expand the Sales Tax and increase numerous taxes on small businesses, yet it does nothing to control the cost of government.
“I am in awe of how utterly disconnected Gov. Wolf is from reality. The people I represent have been clear over the last year: They should not have to take a pay cut in order to send more money to Harrisburg. They are already living paycheck-to-paycheck.
‘Today’s budget address was nothing more than a disappointing campaign speech designed to invoke fear in the hearts of Pennsylvanians; no different than the political mailers many have received in the district. Perhaps we could reach a bipartisan consensus on a responsible budget if the governor would stop campaigning and start governing.
“As we formally begin this year’s budget process, I put out a plea to my colleagues from both sides of the aisle: we must work diligently, and together, on a budget that provides high quality educational opportunities, encourages job growth and a healthy economy, and does not place crippling new tax burdens on working Pennsylvanians.
“Not only can Pennsylvanians not afford higher taxes, they cannot afford another budget impasse filled with political rhetoric.”
For more information on Wolf’s proposal, visit
pahousegop.com.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
RepOrtitay.com /
Facebook.com/RepOrtitay