Wolf calls for income tax increase to close looming state deficit, fund education
Gov. Tom Wolf appealed directly to Pennsylvanians — not just their lawmakers — on Wednesday to rally support for tax increases as the state faces down a multi-billion dollar budget hole this year.
Speaking to House and Senate lawmakers from a virtual bully pulpit, Wolf extorted viewers who agreed with his aims — additional school funding, a $15 minimum wage, and legal recreational cannabis — to call their state representatives and demand action on his proposal.
“If you’ve had enough of being told why your government can’t solve your problems, make it crystal clear that, this time, you don’t want to hear that anymore; that you won’t accept any more excuses,” Wolf said.
The $37.8 billion plan represents an 11 percent increase in state spending over last year. The new state spending will replace $3 billion in one-time federal COVID-19 aid that the state used to close last year’s budget.
Read more: https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-calls-for-income-tax-increase-to-close-looming-state-deficit-fund-education/