Area Residents Voice Opposition to Governor's Income Tax Increase

HARRISBURG - People across Pennsylvania and locally are speaking out against Gov. Ed Rendell's plan to increase their personal income tax to fund a $1 billion spending increase in the 2009-2010 state budget, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turlepoint) said today.

Thousands have submitted comments in opposition to the proposed 16 percent income tax increase, and even more have signed a petition against it, at StopPATaxHike.com.

"While the governor seems to think people won't mind handing over more of their hard-earned money to state government, the comments registered at StopPATaxHike.com say otherwise," Causer said. "People believe they are paying enough in taxes already. They have to make do with what they have and say government should do the same.

"Public outcry over the governor's plan is more important than ever as another June 30 deadline passes without a budget in place for the 2009-2010 fiscal year," Causer continued. "The governor's strategy is to wear people down and get them to support his tax hike. I say we need to work together to wear him down and force him to cut spending and live within our means."

Following is a sampling of comments submitted by area residents to StopPATaxHike.com:

· The taxes in PA are high enough. It seems that Rendell can find money to hire all his friends even when there is a freeze on. If they need more money, get rid of the FAT on the top - don't penalize the working man for management waste. - Larry, Bradford, PA

· No matter how big or small a group is, whether it is a small business or an entire state government, you come to a point where you need to make the decision to go in the right direction. The people of this state are hit hard enough with high real estate taxes, federal, state, and local taxes. If you were going to eliminate the real estate taxes and change to an income tax rate instead. It's time to have LESS GOVERNMENT, NOT MORE. It's time for our state leaders to take ownership of the well-being of our state and residents. We have elected you into your office because we believed you would make our state a better place to live and raise families. I beseech you to hold up your end of the bargain. - Patty, Coudersport, PA

· My wife and I have absolutely no extra money now, so with a tax hike we will be in the hole. Bills won't get paid on time, which adds a penalty to a bill that you already can't pay!! Come live in our life for a couple of months and see what the real people of the state live like!!!!! - Steve, Emporium, PA

· I have already lost my job here in Port Allegany after 14 years of hard labor. I even went to Washington D.C. to tell our local representatives that we need to keep our jobs in the United States. This all falls on deaf ears. I have a wonderful family with 4 small children to support and obviously this tax hike is not going to make things any easier. My story is a chapter in many families in our hard hit area. I SAY NO TAX HIKE - Todd, Port Allegany, PA

· Enough is enough! Live within the state budget we have. Your spending of our hard-earned tax dollars is way out of hand. We have had to cut back in our households and small businesses to keep our heads above water in these tough economic times. It is high time you paid representatives of US do the same! - Vicki, Ulysses, PA

To sign the Web-based petition, visit Rep. Causer.com or go directly to StopPATaxHike.com.

People without Internet access can sign a hard-copy petition by visiting one of Causer's offices in Bradford or Coudersport:

· Bradford Office - 78 Main Street, 1st Floor.

· Coudersport Office - 107 South Main St., Room 1.