Pennsylvania hotel tax hike faces opposition in budget fight

HARRISBURG (AP) – A Republican plan to nearly double Pennsylvania’s state hotel tax rate is getting a cool reception from rank-and-file members of the House of Representatives as lawmakers scrounge for cash to break a three-month state budget stalemate.
A plan to vote on the proposal Wednesday appeared to be in trouble. House Democratic leaders say it’s unclear how many of their members or Republicans will support it.
Philadelphia-area Republicans as well as those from Hershey and the Pocono Mountains are opposing it for fear that their areas will have a harder time attracting big groups, like conventions.
It would boost the state hotel tax rate to 11 percent from 6 percent, giving Philadelphia and Pittsburgh the nation’s first- and second-highest hotel taxes, when combined with local hotel taxes.