Reichley blasts House Dems on tax vote

Rep. Doug Reichley (R-Berks/Lehigh), the Republican vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response to his "No" vote on a tax measure advanced by House Democrats:

"The tax bill offered (Friday) points to the erosion of the budget deal tenuously cobbled together two weeks ago by the governor, House Democrats, Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats. I opposed that tax proposal as did the House Republican Caucus because it proposed a 20 percent tax on small games of chance that charitable organizations use as fundraisers, and it imposes a 6 percent sales tax on tickets for the arts, museums and performances. There was an outcry against these taxes, so the House Democrats devised their own tax bill.

"I opposed those tax increases and must stand against the new batch taxes proposed today, which includes a 30 percent tax on cigars, cigarillos and smokeless tobacco that could jeopardize 8,100 jobs in the Lehigh Valley in the cigar-making industry. Those businesses could move to Florida if this tax is enacted.

"In the last 24 hours, House Democrats have retreated from this deal and also choose to institute a severance tax on drilling in the Marcellus Shale area, which was not a part of the three-caucus agreement, and is likely a deal-killer.

"House Republicans continue to oppose new taxes and support a no-tax budget that spends $500 million less than the $28 billion three-caucus deal. House Bill 1943 spends $27.5 billion and does not increase taxes yet adequately funds education, veterans, social services and hospitals.

"During the town hall meetings I held this week with constituents, one message was clear: 'Tell Harrisburg to get their greedy hands out of our wallets.' This Halloween trick or tax plan has no treat for taxpayers and should be rejected."

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS