HARRISBURG – Rep. Jerry Stern (R-80) issued the following statement on the unanimous House vote against an amendment that contained the tax increase elements of Gov. Ed Rendell’s Plan for a New Pennsylvania, which included an increase in the personal income tax by 34 percent:
“The governor and the Democrats are being disingenuous to the people of Pennsylvania who thought that Gov. Ed Rendell’s Plan for a New Pennsylvania was a viable proposal when in fact the governor asked us not to vote on it and not one Democrat voted in favor of the plan.
“I am hopeful that now that this plan has been defeated, we can sit down and start meaningful discussions concerning the education portion of the state budget.
“The state should not operate any differently that the average working family. We have to realistically evaluate our budget before we can make a determination on how much we can spend.
“House Republicans believe in sound, fiscal management of state funds. We are looking out for Pennsylvania’s families by not spending more than we have and not substantially expanding state government or increasing taxes.”
