Matt Brouillette Of The Commonwealth Foundation Reacts To Proposed Budget Deal
Philadelphia (CBS) - Matt Brouillettte from the Commonwealth Foundation reacted to a proposal that may finally end Pennsylvania's budget impasse.
Talking with Talk Radio 1210 WPHT's Dom Giordano, Brouillette said that Philadelphians will impacted the most.
"Governor Wolf has proposed the highest tax increases in the entire nation and the question is, what is going to be delivered at the end of the day? It seems that we may be looking at a significant sales tax increase that would us at the second highest rate in America. That wouldn't be good, particularly in Philadelphia where you'd be looking at a 9.25 percent rate."
He would like to see some other concessions from the Governor regarding pension reform and alcohol sales.
"I am hopeful that we will see some real pension reform and real liquor privatization. We've heard a lot of phony baloney when it comes to those two issues but I'm hopeful that that would be part of any deal that may or may not include this sales increase to offset some property tax reductions. But I think that's where we need to keep our focus, are we going to finally get the government out of the booze business and are we finally going to reform our pension system to what's been going on in the private sector for a long, long time."
Brouillette stated that now is the time to let your representatives know how you feel about the budget deal.
"If you want to pay higher taxes and don't want anything in return, sit on your butt, don't pick up the phone. But, if you want to make sure that the legislators do what you sent them there to do, you better get on the phone. Make those call and them know because, yes, your voice does matter, but it's only if you use it."
