Proposal adds more money to Pennsylvanians’ paychecks, lowers utility bills.
HARRISBURG – In response to the Pennsylvania Senate passing Senate Bill 269, which would reduce the Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate from 3.07% to 2.8% and eliminate the Gross Receipts Tax on energy, effective Jan. 1, 2025, Sen. Majority Whip Ryan Aument (R-36) issued the following statement:
“Pennsylvania’s working-class families are being told that the economy is robust, that ‘Bidenomics’ is working, and that Americans are thriving – but they don’t feel it.
“They’re paying over $1,000 more, on average, each month to purchase the same goods and services they did three years ago, before this inflation crisis began. What’s worse, Pennsylvanians are feeling the inflationary pressure more than any other state in the country. At the end of 2023, a Consumer Affairs report showed Pennsylvania was ranked as the worst state in the country for inflation, with grocery prices increasing 8.2% year over year.
“Our working-class families need help. Household expenses are out of control and the minimum income that families need to take home in order to break out of the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck keeps getting higher and higher.
“We have an opportunity and a responsibility to help the working class break out of this exhausting cycle and put the American dream back within reach once again.
“This is our moment of choosing. On the one hand, we have the governor’s budget proposal that lays out a vision for Pennsylvania that relies heavily on expanding government and recklessly spending down our reserves on recurring expenses – a tactic that will result in tax increases on the working class in the future to pay for it.
“On the other hand, we have the Senate Republican proposal that invests $3 billion into the people of Pennsylvania by lowering their utility bills and adding more money to their paychecks. This represents the largest tax cut for working families in our Commonwealth’s history, and it comes at a time when they need it most.
“The best way to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the opportunity to experience earned success and upward economic mobility is not by spending more of their money, but by leaving more money in their wallets. Our plan will do that and more.”
Learn more about the proposal here.
FULL VIDEO OF SEN. AUMENT FLOOR REMARKS
CONTACT: Stephanie Applegate