Tuesday, July 14, 2009

For those who want to pay more in taxes

There's a big debate in Pennsylvania over Gov. Ed Rendell's call for a "temporary" 16 percent increase in the state's personal income tax, which is paid by workers and businesses. Rendell says the increase would only last three years and would raise $4.5 billion, enough to cover the $3.25 billion deficit Rendell ran up this year with some spare change to spend on bigger state government.

The problem with Rendell's "temporary" tax hike is very few people are interested in paying it. Senate and House Republicans in the state Legislature have vowed to fight Rendell on the "temporary" tax hike.

I have an alternative. How about a "voluntary" tax hike?

Since Rendell claims that people want to pay more, here's the opportunity to prove it.

Under my plan, the state will raise taxes only for those who want to give more of their income to Harrisburg. We probably won't be able to collect $4.5 billion, but it's a start.

I'm taking names of Pennsylvania residents who would like to pay more taxes:

1) Ed Rendell
2) Joe Hoeffel
3) Keith McCall
4) Dwight Evans
5)

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS