Senate adopts state budget with 10 percent income-tax increase [PA]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 12/20/2003 | Tom Barnes

[Glenn]

HARRISBURG - The state Senate approved a $1.3 billion tax increase shortly after dawn today- including a 10 percent income-tax hike - but was unable to fashion a deal that would have brought slot machines to the state's racetracks, big cities and resorts.

[Glenn]

Bend over, Pennsylvanians. 35 cents more for a pack of smokes. Less in your take home pay. More money for the children that will never make a dime's worth of difference.

I feel so used!

[FirstPrinciple]

I don't understand. I was just reading something on FR a couple of days ago that said that the PA GOP legislature blocked an income tax increase. The author was praising the GOP for playing hardball with the governor. What happened?

[cynicom]

Need money for the kiddies, for public education, welfare whatever, raise taxes, simple solution.

[Hoverbug]

Is this the thread?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1043274/posts

The pubbies were thumping their chests that they had raised taxes LESS than the governor wanted to raise them.

Hb

[kuma]

Did you have to post this? Can we cut Philly and Pitt out of the state now? They are liberal puss sores on an otherwise fine state. Without them we wouldn't have Emporer Rendell.

Oh and by the way we homeschool. Homeschoolers shouldn't have to pay for public schools that they don't use. I don't want a voucher just less taxes.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Rendell is a one termer.

These Democrat bums just don't get it!!

[FirstPrinciple]

I know. It sounded too good to be true.

[HoundsTooth_BP]

Republicans everywhere seem to be giving in to more taxes. When is someone going to try cutting sales, income, telephone, and all other taxes?

Time and time again they come back for an additional tax until they get the people to pass it. If a tax fails by 10% or more, then the officials will explain the people just did not understand the need for the tax.

But, once they pass a tax, even if it passes by one vote, they never come back and say we need to vote again, that it did not pass by enough votes, because the people did not understand that this tax will last forever and probably be wasted. It never happens.

[FirstPrinciple]

Vote the GOP out of office. The Democrats will come in and raise taxes by 50%. Then only can the revolution begin.

[Fresh Wind]

The Philly cesspool gave us Spendell and Spectre too. At least Spendell is honest enough to admit that he's a Democrat.

[kuma]

Just a small point but it will never happen until we as Americans become more freedom loving. Freedom loving as in free from reliance on the government. Everything the government has a program for can be done in the private sector, only better.

If we don't like the amounts of money spent on public education then we need to convert to private education. We can go down the list one by one, no matter the subject and the same applies. I'm trying to implement this in my own life now as much as possible. Granted I still drive on public roads but maybe someday they will be roads paved through fundraisers.

[NeoCaveman]

"This [package] was negotiated over a long period of time," said Senate President Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer, R-Altoona. "It was important to get the job done. I think we have effected a reasonable compromise, a budget that is fiscally responsible."

Proving once again that bipartisanship is twice as bad as partisanship

[kuma]

Hopefully this is the last year for dear old Arlen. While we may have the Emporer around for a little while longer I hope the state doesn't go Democrat for the presidential election.

[oldironsides]

They are trying to shift the real estate tax to income tax. Property owners are sagging under the huge tax for schools. It is my understanding they will catch more people with the income tax ( apartment dwellers with kids in school) and others. We are seeing school taxes on homes
move to %5000 + a year for school taxes alone. The elderly cannot keep up with the property taxes on a fixed income.
Selling a home and moving away should not have to be a requirement of retiring in this county.

[Glenn]

They are trying to shift the real estate tax to income tax.

Right. The townships aren't giving up a dime of their tax income.

[EGPWS]

"This is a terrific day," Rendell said after the all-nighter.

"The next budget will be much, much easier," he promised.

TERRIFIC! I have had many an all nighters at work and some on personal (hehe) time beleive me, you, I have never considered them terrific, the day after, when on the clock.

"The next budget will be much, much easier," he promised.

Ah huh, and the Titanic was unsinkable right? Well at least it was until it sunk anyway.

[HoundsTooth_BP]

It is just plain robbery to be taxed every year on our homes. Sometimes the elderly can better afford to pay taxes than the young. Either way people are not free if they cannot own their house when they get it paid for. In reality we just lease it from our government and our government can assess whatever tax they want on it. If we have plenty of money we can buy plenty of freedom.

[ikka]

Is there a part of Tennessee where it snows? If so, bye bye PA!

[cynicom]

Already moved away. Putting home up for sale. Income tax increase will not replace the flat school tax on property. Plus schools get an income tax to boot. Schools in PA are killing the economy.