Cutting taxes would help small businesses grow
Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation has a job to do: Cut taxes for small businesses.
I am a small-business owner, and believe me when I say there is no greater obstacle to business expansion and job creation than high taxes. When you combine federal, state and local taxes, I pay nearly 50 percent of my business income to the government. While I currently employ about 130 workers, growing a business is not smooth sailing. To finance expansion in 2008, I had to take out four loans. I’ve mortgaged my house seven times just to see my business grow.
The government hasn’t helped. I’ve had to take out bank loans to pay my taxes on numerous occasions. Even after deductions, high taxes often prevent me from hiring new employees and rewarding my current workers with higher wages.
Some people characterize small-business owners as greedy, but it’s a common misconception. I did not draw a salary from my business for five years. When I first drew a salary, it was $36,000 a year. Cutting taxes isn’t about lining my own pockets; it’s about growing my business and helping working Pennsylvanians by lining theirs. GUY BERKEBILE President Guy Chemical Company Somerset
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Good luck to the north-central Pennsylvania businesses that seek UPMC accommodations (“North-Central Pa. Businesses Seek Accommodation With UPMC,” Aug. 29). The point of UPMC buying all the hospitals in your area is to make it extremely inconvenient and expensive for you to use those facilities without purchasing UPMC insurance.
Ask any Pittsburgher how that works. Imagine having world-class hospitals such as UPMC Hillman Cancer Center or Magee-Womens Hospital right in your own backyard and not being able to use them because you have insurance they won’t accept. If you do choose to go to those hospitals, then you must pay the higher out-of-network costs.
Once again, I wish the northcentral Pennsylvania businesses the best of luck with their attempts to get UPMC to change. If they succeed, they should let the residents of Pittsburgh know so they can implement the same plan.
UPMC’s motto for health care must be something like “money first; health care and people second.” IDA MOSELLEN
Hampton
I went to Hartwood Acres this past Sunday evening to listen to Billy Porter and was disappointed. I lasted 30 minutes and had to leave because of the foul language and profanity he was using in his songs. I did not think it was appropriate for a large crowd of attendees on the beautiful night.
Why do entertainers think their songs are better with profanity? Especially when kids are sitting on the lawn? I am very disappointed in him. LOLA CROGNALE
Hampton