From the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (http://www.pennbpc.org):
Earlier this month, Republican leaders in the state House of Representatives muscled through their own version of a budget for next year that makes across-the-board cuts, with particularly deep reductions in childcare programs, environmental protection, and services that our most vulnerable neighbors and family members need.
Even worse, the plan passed by the House simply doesn’t add up, setting the stage for yet another budget that jeopardizes the state’s financial health and that forces local governments to raise property taxes to make up for state legislators’ irresponsibility.
And once again, House leaders made sure that their wealthy friends continue to avoid doing their fair share, forcing Pennsylvanians who are struggling to get by to make up the difference.
There is a better way – one that fixes our upside-down tax system, makes sure that those who’ve benefited the most start paying their fair share, gives a break to working Pennsylvanians, and that allows us to make the investments that are needed to build a better future for our state and our children.
Please sign the petition at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/invest-in-pennsylvanias-future-by-fixing-our-upside-down-tax-system urging Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly to enact the Fair Share plan that can fix our broken tax system, raise $2 billion from the wealthiest 1% to invest in our communities and schools, and reduces taxes for the majority of Pennsylvanians.
TEXT OF THE FAIR SHARE PETITION
To: Governor Wolf and Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
From: [Your Name]
WE THE UNDERSIGNED, call on our Governor and the General Assembly to enact the Fair Share Tax (SB555) to fix our broken tax system and invest in our commonwealth.
The Fair Share Tax (Senate Bill 555) together with things like a severance tax on natural gas drilling, corporate tax reform, and an increase in the minimum wage, can turn our tax system right-side up, raising revenues while reducing taxes on most Pennsylvanians. The Fair Share Tax raises $2 billion a year to invest in our schools and colleges, human services, roads, bridges, towns, recreation centers, and clean air and water, while CUTTING taxes for 60% of Pennsylvanians.
Enact the Fair Share Tax (SB555) so that we can invest in Pennsylvania communities, our public schools, the protection of our environment and critical infrastructure.
Kathleen Hester
Please do cut taxes for the 60% of Pennsylvanians who need a tax break, invest in Pennsylvania schools, infrastructure, and protect our water and air quality by voting for the Fair Share Tax Bills.
Thank you!
bill curtis
I would like to understand how exactly the writer of the petition suggests raising $2 billion from the wealthiest 1% in PA. I think almost any attempt at this would drive more residents to leave the state, as it’s doing in CA, NY and CT and IL.
Judith Marvin
Please do cut taxes for the 60% of Pennsylvanians who need a tax break, invest in Pennsylvania schools, infrastructure, and protect our water and air quality by voting for the Fair Share Tax Bills.
Thank you!