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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus |
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Shimkus refused to tax day care, Bibles, caskets
Rejects amendment to property tax relief bill
HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, today voted against raising taxes on the working class to give big business a tax break.
Shimkus voted against an amendment that would increase the cost of property tax elimination by almost $5 billion by including commercial and non-homestead properties. It would pay for the break by expanding the state sales tax to currently non-taxed items and services. The amendment (A05384) was posted to legislation the House is considering to reduce homeowner property taxes (H.B. 1600).
"This break would be funded by taxing average citizens to death," Shimkus said. "Day-care services would be taxed, as would legal and accounting services. Caskets and non-prescription drugs would be taxed. ATM fees and bounced check fees would be taxed. And businesses, which would be enjoying a tax break, would be exempt from these charges.
"We need to be focused on eliminating property taxes for our homeowners, and not discussing expanding property tax relief on the backs of our working class," Shimkus said.
The House rejected the amendment. The House is poised to vote on H.B. 1600 this week.
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