Area state legislators blast Wolf budget plan
Local Republican lawmakers were to quick to reject Gov. Tom Wolf ’s proposed 2016-17 budget, saying the plan, which increases taxes, does more harm then good.
Meanwhi le, Democrats in the state Legislature blamed the GOP controlled General Assembly for playing politics as usual in trying to pass the current fiscal year’s budget.
“How can the governor propose more spending and ever-higher taxes for next year, without completing this year’s budget?” state Rep. Warren Kampf, R-157th Dist. said “The people of Pennsylvania do not want massive tax increases forced on their already stressed personal budgets.”
The Democratic governor’s $33.3 billion plan amounts to a two-year, 14 percent tax increase totaling $2.7 billion. The plan comes as Harrisburg continues its seven-monthlong 2015-16 budget impasse — the longest in the state’s history.
“The governor is seeking to raise taxes by $2.7 billion. This would require an 11 percent increase in the personal income tax. This is something that the people of Pennsylvania have stated over and over again that they do not support,” said state Rep. William Adolph, R-165th Dist., who heads the GOP House Appropriations Committee. “We must focus on finishing the current-year budget and then focus on ensuring that we have a balanced budget for the next fiscal year. It is important that we realize that adding new spending will only add to the problem we face with the structural deficit.”
Other local Republicans piled on against Wolf, calling his address nothing more than a lecture against the Legislature.
“This is one of the most unbelievable addresses I’ve ever seen,” said state Rep. Tom Quigley, R146th Dist. “(Wolf) didn’t’ talk about the budget, but rather relived the past and scolded the General Assembly.”
“I believe the governor missed a key opportunity a constructive path forward, and that’s disappointing.”
A Berks County lawmaker was disappointed Wolf abandoned promises to include property tax relief in his budget plan.
“How can anyone expect this man is serious about property tax reform when his policies go in the completely opposite direction of helping people keep their homes?” said state Rep. Dave Maloney, R-130th Dist.
Another area legislator took to social media to blast Wolf.
“I think the governor delivered a message that was a complete insult to the people of PA,” state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24th Dist. wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, local Democrats supported Wolf’s proposals, saying the state’s current fiscal crisis is the fault of the General Assembly, who would rather score political points than pass a budget.
“I thought he gave a thoughtful passionate address that outlines a significant crisis the commonwealth is going to face if the legislature fails to compromise in the very near future,” said Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, who was invited by Wolf onto the floor of the General Assembly for the governor’s address. “Legislators need to come together and find common ground. The issues are not all that complex. An agreement had been reached. Leaders shook hands on it but then ultimately the Republican speaker failed to bring up that budget for a vote and it was clear the votes were there to pass it. It’s time that some in Harrisburg stop playing games, do the people’s business and avoid the fiscal crisis.”
“Many in the General Assembly would rather play politics than show true leadership,” said state Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-161st Dist. “Their refusal to compromise and their acceptance of the status quo is what got us to this point, and if there is no change in their attitude Pennsylvania will not have a balanced, responsible budget.”
“The governor was right to discuss the very real fiscal crisis facing Pennsylvania. We now need to bring everyone together to solve it and that requires a full discussion of property tax reform,” said state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D19th Dist. “What we have seen going on for the last eight months is also an indication of why we need to pass my Senate Bill 1124, legislation that will impose real consequences on both the legislature and the governor if a complete budget is not passed and signed by July 1.”
Senate Democratic Whip, state Sen. Anthony H. Williams, D-8th Dist., said it is unwise for Pennsylvania to continue to jump from one fiscal crisis to another and that a bipartisan budget is a necessity.
“This budget plan makes lawmakers face up to the reality that if nothing is done to address the budget deficit than its growth will swamp all other initiatives.”
“How can the governor propose more spending and ever higher taxes for next year, without completing this year’s budget?” — State Rep. Warren Kampf