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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bill Kortz |
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Kortz: No on arts and VFC taxes, and an irresponsible gas drilling plan
HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Allegheny, released the following statement regarding the status of the state budget agreement:
"Through this budget battle I have said that I will only be able to support a budget that makes responsible cuts and revenue enhancements that are consistent with my priorities and those of the citizens of the 38th District. These priorities continue our investment in early childhood programs, education, seniors and economic development.
"Yesterday, the state House of Representatives voted to modify the Tax Code portion of the state budget. We voted to make three major changes – eliminate a proposed tax on volunteer fire departments and other community organizations that raise money through small games of chance; eliminate a proposed tax on admissions to arts and cultural activities, such as performances, museums and zoos, where people of all ages can learn; and protect 200,000 acres of state forest lands that could be destroyed under a proposal to lease them for natural gas drilling operations.
"While I accept that given the fiscal situation responsible budget cuts are necessary, taxing volunteer fire departments, VFWs, etc. is unacceptable. Also unacceptable was the idea of adding a sales tax to various cultural events. These nonprofit organizations are hurting more than ever as they struggle to survive in the tough economy. Extending the sales tax to include ticket sales to museums and other nonprofit cultural institutions, especially at this time, was a nonstarter for me and the House Democrats.
"The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is currently charged with determining how much land to lease for natural gas drilling and where. It makes no sense for the legislature to micromanage these decisions that are best left to the DCNR scientists who have the necessary expertise to manage our environmental resources. Moreover, I oppose the idea of expanding leasing and not taxing the profits that are made from the natural resources that are extracted from our land. Should an agreement emerge that includes a severance tax and allows DCNR to determine what amount of expansion would be responsible, I would be open to considering it.
"I encourage the Senate to consider and approve these proposals so that a final budget package can be reached for the good of all Pennsylvanians."
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