(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A pedestrian passes the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Nov. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) House Republican policymakers launched their “Freedom Through Affordability” initiative today in Harrisburg, which is a plan to deliver tax relief and lower costs to make Pennsylvania a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. The initiative was unveiled at a Capitol press conference and it includes a package of six-month tax cuts and sales tax holidays, a multi-billion-dollar relief effort aimed at providing immediate relief to families and workers struggling under the weight of higher prices. Framing the effort, Representative David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), the chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, emphasized the direct connection between affordability and opportunity. He said: “Our goal is simple: Make Pennsylvania a place where families can afford to live, work and build their future. When people can keep more of what they earn and the cost of everyday life is within reach, they have the freedom to make their own choices about their future. That’s what this effort is about – achieving freedom through affordability for people across the Commonwealth.” At the center of the initiative are targeted proposals that are designed to provide immediate relief on some of the most pressing household expenses, including the suspension of key taxes for six months, directly reducing costs on essential services and daily expenses. Rowe is sponsoring legislation to reduce the state Personal Income Tax rate from 3.07% to 2.99% for six months. Representatives Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), the vice chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, and Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland) are co-sponsoring legislation to suspend the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity and telecommunications for six months. Marcell pointed to the growing pressure households are facing and highlighted the impact on everyday families by expressing: “Everywhere I go in my community, people are looking for a break from rising costs, especially on the basics of life. This temporary tax holiday is a commonsense way to give them that break, save them some money and help make life just a little easier.” Davanzo underscored how energy costs can ripple throughout the broader economy and he noted: “The message from Pennsylvanians has never been louder or more clear: Energy costs are making their day-to-day unaffordable. Right here and now, we can give families a little bit of breathing room and help them stretch their budgets a little bit further,” Davanzo said. “Because energy costs factor into production, wholesale and retail costs on everyday products, this relief will be felt across the Commonwealth’s entire economy.” Representative Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) focused on transportation and emphasized the burden of fuel costs on working families in introducing legislation to suspend the state’s gas tax for six months. She stated: “High fuel costs compound the financial strain Pennsylvanians already face due to inflation and ongoing cost-of-living increases. My legislation will provide temporary relief to make it easier to balance a family’s budget. I urge immediate action so there is more money in the pockets of our hardworking residents. In addition to advancing immediate relief, lawmakers stressed the importance of continuing to hear directly from residents across Pennsylvania. Representative Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), deputy chair of the Policy Committee, announced the launch of the “Affordability Starts Here” tour, which will bring lawmakers across the Commonwealth to hear directly from families, workers and employers about what it takes to make life more affordable. Hogan commented: “As the Policy Committee’s Deputy Chair on affordability, I know how important this ‘Affordability Starts Here’ Tour of Pennsylvania is for so many families. “Starting next week, we will make our first stop in Hanover for a hearing on how we can reduce the costs of child care and expand the tour to all sectors of our economy. Folks across our Commonwealth have great ideas and I’m looking forward to identifying and promoting more ways to make Pennsylvania more affordable for everyone.” Hogan is a new father and he joins Rep. KC Tomlinson (R-Bucks) in co-sponsoring six-month sales tax holidays on car seats as well as newborn/baby products. Additional members sponsoring affordability-related tax relief proposals include: Reps. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield/Elk), Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union), Marla Brown (R- Lawrence), Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union), Ann Flood (R-Northampton), Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne/Susquehanna), Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Kate Klunk (R-York), Roman Kozak (R-Beaver), Thomas Kutz (R-Cumberland), Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny/Washington), Shelby Labs (R-Bucks), Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia), Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton), Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Brett Miller (R-Lancaster), Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne), Brian Rasel (R-Westmoreland), Chad Reichard (R-Franklin), Michael Stender (R-Northumberland/Montour) and Parke Wentling (R-Mercer). Legislation on this is forthcoming. The schedule for the Affordability Starts Here Tour is as follows:

• March 30, Hanover: Making Child Care Affordable for Pennsylvania Families
• April 7, Kingston: Reforming the Rain Tax to Make Pennsylvania More Affordable
• April 30, Sewickley: Making Child Care Affordable for Pennsylvania Families
• May 8, Bradford: Care Close to Home: Expanding Access to Labor and Delivery in Pennsylvania
• May 21, Reinholds: Making Housing More Affordable in Pennsylvania
• May 26, Hawley: Making Housing More Affordable in Pennsylvania
• May 27, Lebanon City: Making Housing More Affordable in Pennsylvania
• More dates to be announced!

For more information, visit policycommittee.com.