Nesbit Casts ‘No’ Vote on Billion-Dollar Tax Plan

Oct. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer/Butler) said today that he is hopeful budget negotiations will head in a new direction after the governor’s billion-dollar tax plan was decisively voted down in the state House on Wednesday.

Oberlander Says Tax Increase Should be Last Resort

Oct. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In sending a clear message to the governor about the lack of support for his billion-dollar tax plan, Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) cast a “no” vote today on a proposal to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16 percent and impose the nation’s largest severance tax on natural gas.

Diamond: Game’s Over, Wolf Tax Plan Is Dead

Oct. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Following a vote in the House of Representatives, in which Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax proposal was defeated in a 127 to 73 vote, Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) issued the following statement:

Quigley Votes Against Personal Income Tax Increase

Oct. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) joined the majority of his colleagues in the state House today as they voted against Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to raise income taxes on hard-working Pennsylvanians. The governor’s proposal would have increased the Personal Income Tax (PIT) by 16 percent (from 3.07 percent to 3.57 percent) while providing minimal property tax relief for less than 2 percent of the population in two years.

Everett, Wheeland Vote Against Tax Increases

Oct. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) and Rep. Jeff C. Wheeland (R-Lycoming) today issued this statement on the income and severance tax increase amendment that was voted down by the House:

Gov. Wolf’s Latest Spending Plan Defeated by House, Staats Says

Oct. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) voted, along with House Republicans and several House Democrats, to defeat Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax increase proposal this afternoon. The governor’s latest spending plan included a Personal Income Tax increase and a severance tax on natural gas. Staats issued the following statement.

Christiana: Wolf Severance Tax Proposal Would Crush Industry

Oct. 06, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest severance tax proposal, which is expected to be included as part of a tax package expected for a vote in the state House Wednesday:

Toohil Issues Statement on State Decision to Downgrade License of Luzerne County Children and Youth Office

Oct. 06, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today said she will be seeking legislative oversight of the Luzerne County Children and Youth Agency in the wake of the state’s decision to downgrade its license. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services changed the county office to a provisional license following an investigation into the death of a child earlier this year.

Ag Committee Approves Diamond Industrial Hemp Bill

Oct. 06, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee today unanimously approved legislation introduced by Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) that would create an agricultural pilot program for industrial hemp research. The measure now advances to the House floor.

It’s Time For a Change

Oct. 05, 2015 /

For all the things you’ve heard about what is wrong in Harrisburg – from efforts to raise income and sales taxes, to the need for systemic public pension reform – there is one issue that has been hidden for too long by the politicians but has a huge impact on every taxpayer and citizen in our state.

Simmons Challenges Governor to Explain His Tax Plan

Oct. 02, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today issued a challenge to Gov. Tom Wolf to publically explain his 2015-16 budget proposal and the tax increases included in it. The governor’s latest plan is to raise the Personal Income Tax from 3.07 percent to 3.49 percent and to expand the Sales and Use Tax (6 percent) to include a number of services not currently taxed.