Taxpayers First!
Since the beginning of this legislative session I have led the charge for a fiscally responsible 2009-2010 budget that will put taxpayers first.
On January 6, 2009 I worked with staff, volunteers and a few of my colleagues to utilize the Speaker election as a platform to challenge the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to be fiscally responsible in order to help stimulate our state economy.
At the end of January, I initiated the Taxpayers First series of press conferences. Many of my colleagues have joined with me during these press events to promote state policy reforms and initiatives to enable the legislature to pass a balanced budget on time with no tax or fee increases.
The most recent Taxpayers First initiative press conference, on April 1, was held to announce a letter that I authored and 45 of my colleagues joined me in signing and sending to the Democrat Majority Leader and Democrat Appropriations Chairman.
The letter read as follows:
“Unprecedented legislative action is demanded by the declining national economy, which has impacted our state resulting in job losses, investment losses, and a significant state budget deficit. The consequences of inaction will be detrimental to both the economy and the future welfare of Pennsylvanians.
“Over 40,000 Pennsylvanians lost their jobs in February alone and across the state taxpayers are bearing considerable financial losses.
“As the June 30, 2009 budget deadline draws near, it is time to lay aside other legislative priorities in the objective of passing a budget on time. Not to diminish the importance of other legislative priorities, but it is imperative that all of our energy be directed on the most important priority, which is passing a balanced budget. The budget establishes state policy for the upcoming year and directly impacts the Pennsylvania economy.
“We respectfully ask that you call on the individual standing committees to concentrate on reviewing the portion of the proposed budget that is within their realm of expertise and knowledge.
“Utilizing the committee process in this new way would enable the General Assembly to identify waste and efficiency changes that would allow us to close the budgetary gap with no tax or fee increases.
“It is important for the Legislature to enter into an unprecedented dialogue during this historic budget deficit that is approaching $2.5 billion. Our citizens deserve a state government that will serve them by putting Pennsylvania Taxpayers First!
“We urge you to utilize the next three months in a revolutionary manner to produce a fiscally-responsible and balanced budget by June 30, 2009.”
The next Taxpayers First Initiative will be announced on May 6, 2009. At that time we will have less than two months to pass the state budget.
If you have not signed my No Tax Increase Petition yet please log on to RepMetcalfe.com to sign the No Tax Increase Petition today.