Oct. 07, 2015

HARRISBURG – Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) and a bipartisan majority of his colleagues today in Harrisburg voted down a tax increase proposal offered by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Jozwiak hopes today’s vote will help move the budget negotiating process forward by showing the governor his tax increases face bipartisan opposition.

“We hope the governor will return to the negotiating table with a realistic approach to budgeting,” Jozwiak said.

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 new revenues would have been used to increase state government spending.

“People in Berks County have consistently said they want dollar-for-dollar property tax elimination,” Jozwiak said. “The governor’s proposal offered permanent tax hikes for temporary property tax reductions.”

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.

“Republicans and Democrats today joined together to vote down the governor’s tax hikes,” Jozwiak said. “The governor cannot claim the budget delay is due to partisanship.”

Residents can learn more about Jozwiak at RepJozwiak.com and can follow him on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepJozwiak.

Representative Barry Jozwiak
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepJozwiak.com / Facebook.com/RepJozwiak
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