Mar. 03, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks/Lancaster) was pleased to see the issue of property taxes take a prominent role in the budget proposal delivered today in Harrisburg by the governor to a joint session of the House and Senate.
“The governor has acknowledged the problem of property taxes,” Gillen said. “That is the first step toward addressing this issue. I have some differences of opinion with his proposed approach to dealing with property taxes, but I am hopeful we can find a way to work together to address this issue. I was very pleased the governor took time to meet with me personally both at his mansion and at the Capitol. At those meetings I expressed the desire to find common ground on issues that affect our constituent community in Berks County.”
The governor’s $33.8 billion budget proposal – which represents a 16 percent increase compared to the current state budget – calls for increases in the state sales tax and the state income tax.
The governor wants to raise the state income tax from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent, which would bring in $2.41 billion in tax revenue. The governor wants to use part, but not all, of that revenue to provide property tax relief. His proposal would only dedicate $2.14 billion from this tax increase to property tax relief.
The governor also wants to raise the state sales tax by 10 percent, which would increase it from 6 percent to 6.6 percent. This tax increase would bring in an additional $1.55 billion in tax revenue.
“My hope is that we can impress upon the governor the importance of using any new income tax or sales tax revenues to provide dollar-for-dollar help for Pennsylvania homeowners,” Gillen said. “His attention to the property tax issue is important, but the approach he is suggesting is less than optimal.”
Gillen was pleased the governor’s budget proposal would include funding for four new Pennsylvania State Police cadet classes.
“The governor’s proposal is a complex and detailed plan that requires in-depth analysis and a thorough review,” Gillen said. “The House and Senate will begin the process by holding hearings to dig deeper into the nuances of the governor’s budget proposal. This marks the beginning of the budget process, but the final product will be changed to reflect the negotiations that will take place between the administration and the General Assembly.”
Residents interested in learning more about Gillen can visit his website at
www.RepGillen.com and follow him on Facebook at
www.Facebook.com/RepGillen.
Representative Mark Gillen
128th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepGillen.com /
Facebook.com/RepGillen