Gabler: No Taxes, No Tolls
HARRISBURG - State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) is emphasizing his "No Taxes, No Tolls" pledge to constituents amid recent reports of a budget deal reached by the state Senate and House Democrats, as well as renewed efforts to place tolls on Interstate 80.
"In this case, desperate times do not call for desperate measures," Gabler said. "In the haste to craft a spending plan in a difficult economy, some in Harrisburg are trying to balance the budget by increasing the burden on hard-working, already taxed-to-the-limit taxpayers. I know there is a better way."
Gabler addressed the framework budget deal that was announced by the state Senate and House Democrats late last week.
"Their proposal still leaves many questions unanswered because they haven't released many details," added Gabler. "I am very concerned because we do know it still spends more money than the state has, and it includes discussion of increased taxes on consumers, businesses, and especially charitable organizations such as fire departments, American Legions and VFWs through a new tax on small games of chance. I cannot support a plan that harms our communities like this."
Gabler expressed support for a budget proposal that avoids tax increases while ensuring state government fulfills its responsibilities to the people.
"I have worked with my colleagues to build support for legislation that solves Pennsylvania's financial needs without increasing existing taxes or creating new ones," commented Gabler.
Gabler stated that while increased taxes and spending are a large concern in the ongoing state budget discussions, local citizens must also remain watchful for further efforts by state government officials to implement tolling on Interstate 80.
"Tolls on Interstate 80 would amount to the largest targeted tax increase on Northern Pennsylvania in our lifetime," Gabler said. "Not only would it increase transportation costs for local commuters, it would also raise the price of the products we need to buy in stores. But the largest concern to me would be the impact on our job market when area employers lose their competitive edge because of the increased cost of doing business locally. Make no mistake about it - tax-and-spend politicians are making a full-court press on taxpayers' wallets, and I'm here to say it needs to stop."
Gabler's remarks come in the wake of recent reports that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to re-submit its I-80 tolling request for federal approval this fall. The federal government turned down the initial request last year.
"The voice of residents in the 75th District is loud and clear," said Gabler. "Tolling I-80 means penalizing the communities adjacent to the interstate by diverting more traffic through them on to their already-stressed roads and increasing costs for employers and residents. New highway tolls would be economically-crippling for areas such as Elk County, whose unemployment rate has doubled to more than 14 percent since last year. It is time government officials apply some common sense and start living within our means rather than shaking down taxpayers."
"In this case, desperate times do not call for desperate measures," Gabler said. "In the haste to craft a spending plan in a difficult economy, some in Harrisburg are trying to balance the budget by increasing the burden on hard-working, already taxed-to-the-limit taxpayers. I know there is a better way."
Gabler addressed the framework budget deal that was announced by the state Senate and House Democrats late last week.
"Their proposal still leaves many questions unanswered because they haven't released many details," added Gabler. "I am very concerned because we do know it still spends more money than the state has, and it includes discussion of increased taxes on consumers, businesses, and especially charitable organizations such as fire departments, American Legions and VFWs through a new tax on small games of chance. I cannot support a plan that harms our communities like this."
Gabler expressed support for a budget proposal that avoids tax increases while ensuring state government fulfills its responsibilities to the people.
"I have worked with my colleagues to build support for legislation that solves Pennsylvania's financial needs without increasing existing taxes or creating new ones," commented Gabler.
Gabler stated that while increased taxes and spending are a large concern in the ongoing state budget discussions, local citizens must also remain watchful for further efforts by state government officials to implement tolling on Interstate 80.
"Tolls on Interstate 80 would amount to the largest targeted tax increase on Northern Pennsylvania in our lifetime," Gabler said. "Not only would it increase transportation costs for local commuters, it would also raise the price of the products we need to buy in stores. But the largest concern to me would be the impact on our job market when area employers lose their competitive edge because of the increased cost of doing business locally. Make no mistake about it - tax-and-spend politicians are making a full-court press on taxpayers' wallets, and I'm here to say it needs to stop."
Gabler's remarks come in the wake of recent reports that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to re-submit its I-80 tolling request for federal approval this fall. The federal government turned down the initial request last year.
"The voice of residents in the 75th District is loud and clear," said Gabler. "Tolling I-80 means penalizing the communities adjacent to the interstate by diverting more traffic through them on to their already-stressed roads and increasing costs for employers and residents. New highway tolls would be economically-crippling for areas such as Elk County, whose unemployment rate has doubled to more than 14 percent since last year. It is time government officials apply some common sense and start living within our means rather than shaking down taxpayers."
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