HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Republicans Tuesday held a press conference calling on House Democrats to call up for a vote—without amendment or partisan gimmicks—the bipartisan Senate-passed tax cut plan that would reduce the Personal Income Tax and eliminate the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity.
House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said passage of the tax cut plan, which would put more money in the pockets of every Pennsylvanian, starkly contrasts with Democrats’ vision for the future of Pennsylvania.
“While Bidenflation continues to be a problem, we cannot join Democratic leaders in looking at the reserves, the surplus, and the budgetary security we have built up as license to double down on government bloat,” Cutler said.
“If we are to use the surplus money we have now, we call on all lawmakers to join us in recognizing it is not ours to spend to balloon government bureaucracy. We must reject the notion it is fiscally sound to add unsustainable recurring costs onto the taxpayers and the Pennsylvanians who are already paying more and getting less. We believe this money comes from the taxpayers, and it must be returned to the taxpayers.”
The House version of the tax cut plan will be introduced by Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) and Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) with support from the entire House Republican leadership team.
“We are not talking about tax breaks for just a privileged few or for massive corporations. This plan would mean more money in every single paycheck in Pennsylvania and would immediately reduce electricity bills for every single consumer,” O’Neal said. “Think about what even a small boost in a working mom’s paycheck would mean for her family. Or what a reduction in an electricity bill would mean for a retired couple.”
Kail noted the elimination of the Gross Receipts Tax on energy bills would lower energy costs and make real the promise of Pennsylvania energy.
“If you live in this great Commonwealth, you should be able to reap the benefits of the richness that is Pennsylvania energy,” he said. “One component of this historic tax cut package includes the elimination of the Gross Receipts Tax on your utility bills. We’re proposing lower energy bills for you and your family.”
Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) added the tax cuts passed by the Senate and introduced in the House today will be a would for working class Pennsylvanians.
“These tax cuts, which passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, are a solution designed to provide much-needed financial relief to the backbone of our Commonwealth, working class people,” she said.