Pa. should pass a budget that cares for kids and communities
Pennsylvania confronts overwhelming challenges: a structural deficit; an educational system in free fall; mass business closures and widespread unemployment; and barriers to health care. No doubt, Pennsylvanians expect Harrisburg to deliver education lifelines to families, regulatory and tax relief for business owners, and improved access to care for patients. In response, Gov. Tom Wolf released his proposed 2021 budget, pledging to “make your lives better.”
Wolf’s proposals, though, couldn’t be more detrimental to Pennsylvanians coping with the COVID-19 crisis. As the state’s Independent Fiscal Office recently projected, it will take six years for employment to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and Wolf’s lockdowns. And yet, Wolf offers policy prescriptions that would only worsen our economic plight.
The governor hasn’t made any effort to control overspending throughout the recession. In fact, this year marks the fourth time that his administration dramatically overspent the approved budget, which was only approved in November. As a lame duck governor, Wolf’s latest call for tax hikes won’t go anywhere. But lawmakers have an opportunity to pursue an agenda that sensibly helps Pennsylvania’s communities and families. The centerpiece of Wolf’s budget proposal is a 46% state income tax increase, hitting middle-class families and small businesses. Wolf should be remembered as the governor who proposed the largest tax hike in state history—during an unprecedented public-health crisis.
Even when factoring tax forgiveness, Wolf’s proposal is still a net $2.96 billion tax increase — or $232 per resident. For perspective, a family of four earning the statewide median income would see a $1,500 tax increase.
Wolf’s proposal would also hammer small businesses — restaurants, bars, salons, small gyms, among others — that pay personal income taxes. This past year, these same businesses have endured financial devastation caused by Wolf’s abrupt and archaic lockdowns. Unlike their corporate competitors, small business owners can’t deduct their losses in future years. Now more than ever, small businesses need relief in the form of policies that spur hiring, offer tax relief, and ensure protection from frivolous lawsuits.
Wolf’s tax hike, unimaginable by any period’s standards, would fund public school districts. It’s a plan, largely, to fund empty buildings. As it stands, roughly 40% of districts remain physically closed, in many cases against parents’ wishes. Worse, Wolf’s plan would fund districts while stifling charter schools and scholarship programs. It’s a plan that fails a generation of children facing the devastating consequences of continued closures.
Lawmakers should respond to Wolf’s proposal by getting students back on track. This should include creating Education Opportunity Accounts, expanding Pennsylvania’s popular tax credit scholarship programs, and implementing a fair charter school authorization process to provide an excellent education for all.
From small businesses to education, the General Assembly should enact policies that challenge Wolf’s harmful ideas. His policy agenda would leave a legacy of more government spending, higher unemployment, and greater economic woes. Pennsylvania can’t afford this outcome. After all, we continue to lose residents fleeing to other states for better economic opportunities.
Lawmakers should embrace policies that help businesses rehire workers, jump-start our economy, and support families. This would include reopening businesses and restaurants; providing tax, regulatory, and liability relief for local small business; and privatizing the government-run liquor system. It would also require protecting Pennsylvanians from tax hikes, such as those proposed in Wolf’s budget. The best way to accomplish this goal is passage of the Taxpayer Protection Act, limiting the growth of state spending to match taxpayers’ ability to pay.
In short, it’s time for the General Assembly to enact its own agenda — one that launches a race to rebuild and cares for kids and communities.