Representative Sam Smith

Republican Leader

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Date:   March 18, 2009                                   Contact:  Stephen Miskin (717) 787-3845

                                                          E-Mail:  smiskin@pahousegop.com

Internet:  www.samsmithpahouse.com

 

 

House Republican Leader Says Increasing Spending

and Creating New Programs This Year Is ‘Ludicrous’

 

HARRISBURG – The governor’s comments about tax cuts this year are off base considering his own proposal to increase state spending as revenues have fallen off projections by billions of dollars, according to House Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson County).

 

“The governor yesterday said it is ‘ludicrous’ to propose a tax cut this year,” Smith said. “If it is ‘ludicrous’ to cut taxes during this deficit, it is equally ‘ludicrous’ to create new programs and increase spending as Gov. Rendell proposes.”

 

Yesterday, several House Republican members proposed to cut state spending and cut the Personal Income Tax rate to 2.99 percent. In response to the tax and spending cut proposal, Rendell said the idea to cut taxes when the state is short on revenues is “ludicrous.”

 

Rendell’s current proposed budget increases state spending from this year’s $28.3 billion to a proposed $28.97 billion for next year.

 

 

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