Metcalfe Stands Up for Pennsylvania Taxpayers
State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), who has been leading the charge in the Pennsylvania House since the beginning of January to put PA Taxpayers First by delivering a state budget that contains no tax or fee increases, had no other option but to cast a NO vote against the $27.8 billion 2009-10 state budget due to more than $1.5 billion in new taxes and increased spending.
“The 2009-10 state budget which spends nearly $28 billion, or $3 billion more than anticipated revenue, is another act of legalized thievery that raids the pockets, paychecks and bank accounts of every taxpaying Pennsylvania citizen to pay for someone else’s health care, bus fare and excessive public welfare,” said Metcalfe.
Metcalfe’s primary objections to this year’s budget include:
- The failure to address or reduce the hundreds of millions of dollars in welfare fraud recently identified by Auditor General Jack Wagner.
- Job-killing $374 million Capital Stock and Franchise Tax increase.
- 25 cents per pack cigarette tax increase and new $1.60 per pack tax on cigarillos.
“Rather than putting PA Taxpayers First, the unprecedented $3.25 billion Rendell budget deficit is being unfairly balanced on the backs of taxpayers, consumers and already endangered companies such as Harley Davidson motorcycles and countless other job-creating Pennsylvania businesses,” said Metcalfe. “When these over-taxed employers either go out of business or logically ride off into the sunset for a more tax-friendly economic climate, out-of-work Pennsylvania taxpayers need look no further than the governor and his legislative accomplices who supported taxes, taxes, and more taxes.”
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe
12th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(724) 772-3110
(717) 783-1707
Contact: Ty McCauslin
(717) 772-9979