PA Tax Hikes Get Green Light

State Budget Balanced with Higher Taxes
The irresponsible budget passed by the General Assembly became law without the Governor’s signature early Tuesday morning. Because spending exceeds revenue projections, the budget was not balanced. Pennsylvania’s constitution requires a balanced budget. The imbalance was corrected, at taxpayers’ expense, on Wednesday.

On a somewhat positive note, the increased taxes on heating bills was not part of the tax increase. However, there was a lot not to like about the legislation. To satisfy the General Assembly’s insatiable need for spending increases, taxes were raised on tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and digital downloads (music, movies, apps, etc.) among other things. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a full list [L]http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/10785222-74/revenue-tax-bill[EL] of the tax increases and sources of additional revenue.

Here are the roll call votes for the House [L]http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/RC/Public/rc_view_action2.cfm?sess_yr=2015&sess_ind=0&rc_body=H&rc_nbr=1674[EL] and Senate [L]http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/RC/Public/rc_view_action2.cfm?sess_yr=2015&sess_ind=0&rc_body=S&rc_nbr=646[EL].