Oct. 07, 2015
Local lawmaker and bipartisan majority vote against tax increases
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) today in Harrisburg voted against a tax increase proposal offered by Gov. Tom Wolf that was defeated by the House in a bipartisan vote.
James hopes today’s vote will help break the current gridlock preventing a final state budget.
“This vote proves there is bipartisan opposition to the governor’s tax hike proposal,” James said. “We gave the governor’s tax increases an up-or-down vote and they failed. It’s time to move on and develop a workable state budget solution.”
Wolf’s tax hikes were offered as an amendment to a bill that was considered today by the House.
The governor’s proposal would have increased by 16 percent the state Personal Income Tax paid by working Pennsylvanians and many small business owners.
“The governor’s plan would have taken a chunk out of the paychecks of Pennsylvania workers,” James said. “Many workers simply can’t afford a pay cut at this time.”
Today’s vote marks the second time the state House has considered and rejected a tax hike proposal offered by the governor. The House in June voted down legislation that included the tax increases outlined by the governor in his March budget address.
“We have given the governor’s proposals fair consideration and they simply don’t have the support necessary to succeed,” James said.
Residents can learn more about James by visiting his website at
RepJames.com and following him on Facebook at
Facebook.com/RepJames.
Representative Lee James
64th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepJames.com /
Facebook.com/RepLeeJames