Taxes and more taxes
We have been told by the print and broadcast media that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf wants whopping increases in the state income tax and the state sales tax.
Ostensible, the revenue from such increases would go to fund public education and to reduce property taxes. For those with long memories, this is unadulterated bull.
We were told repeatedly by former governor Ed Rendell and those who did his bidding that having numerous gambling casinos scattered around the state would lower property taxes. Somehow lost in the cacophony emanating from Harrisburg is this fact: the state doesn’t levy taxes on real property; local government and public school districts do this.
Not given the coverage it deserves is the fact that Wolf’s proposal would extend the sales tax to groceries and clothing. Our neighbors in West Virginia have had gambling casinos and race tracks for generations longer than we have and pay a sales tax on food and clothing – and still have property taxes. With overwhelming majorities in both houses of the General Assembly, Republicans have the opportunity to deep-six the governor’s tax proposals. Do they have the guts to do it?
Ross A. Matlack Jr.
Mt. Lebanon