Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike, Pro-Growth Budget

For Immediate Release
Commonwealth Foundation
Contact: John Bouder, 570-490-1042

Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike,
Pro-Growth Budget

Taxpayer-Friendly Alternative to Gov. Wolf’s Tax-And-Spend Plan

June 30, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the General Assembly passed a state budget that respects Pennsylvanians’ hard-earned incomes by avoiding tax hikes while investing responsibly in the state’s future.

“The budget sent to Governor Wolf’s desk today provides consistency for families and the middle class across Pennsylvania,” said Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation. “Just as families must live within their means, government also must live within its means.

“In the face of Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax increases—which would hurt poor and middle-class families and were unanimously rejected by the state House of Representatives—this budget imposes no new taxes on hardworking Pennsylvanians.”

“Pennsylvania families already shoulder the 10th highest state and local tax burden in the nation,” Brouillette continued. “There’s no justification to ask them to bear a greater load to support unnecessary government spending. This budget respects the reality that government exists to serve the people, not the other way around. By implementing commonsense fiscal responsibility, Pennsylvania will boost job creation and economic growth, benefitting all Pennsylvanians.”

“It’s no secret that Harrisburg has a penchant for spending,” Brouillette added, “but this addiction has come at great cost to Pennsylvania families and citizens. Today’s passage of a no-tax-hike budget is a victory for all Pennsylvanians. Today, legislators took a stand for taxpayers, the middle class, and job creators. We urge Governor Wolf to take the same stand by signing this budget.”

Matthew Brouillette and other Commonwealth Foundation experts are available for comment today. Please contact John Bouder at 570-490-1042 or [email protected] to schedule an interview.

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