Wolf defends proposal to lift sales tax loopholes in budget
HARRISBURG – Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is defending a plan to lift state sales tax exemptions as part of a compromise necessary to get Republican lawmakers to increase aid to public schools and narrow a long-term deficit.
Wolf said Thursday that Pennsylvania’s sales tax needs to be modernized and eliminating some exemptions would happen anyway. He said he preferred a deal that would’ve included a Marcellus Shale production tax and an expansion of rebates for school property tax payers, but Republican support was lacking.
For now, negotiators aren’t saying which exemptions they’re targeting, and rank-and-file lawmakers say they’ve been given little information.
Lobbyists and regular citizens are also stepping up to defend their exemptions.
House Rep. Scott Petri said he’s hearing from constituents worried about their gym membership or accounting firm being taxed.
Both the Pennsylvania House and Senate are planning to hold voting session days through the weekend as lawmakers and Wolf’s administration battle behind closed doors over a 5-months-late package of budget legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman told rank-and-file senator voting sessions are scheduled every day today through Wednesday.
The prolonged budget impasse forced school districts, counties and social and human services organizations to shutter services, lay off employees, put off bills or go into debt to survive.
Early childhood centers certified under Pennsylvania’s state-subsidized pre-kindergarten program are closing, leaving out more than 500 children.