We Need a Budget That Puts People First

PA Legislators

Pennsylvania state legislators are tasked with passing a balanced budget by a June 30th deadline. Legislators are under pressure to accept cuts to education, environmental protection, and essential services to our most vulnerable neighbors and family members.

Let your state senator and representative know that it’s time to invest more in PA communities. The House Republican budget cuts Medicaid, child care, pre-k education, county assistance offices, substance abuse treatment, and environmental protection, and many other important services.

Legislators need to find revenue necessary to fund public investments in a budget balanced without gimmicks.

There are three ways legislators can and should raise revenue without burdening working Pennsylvanians or seniors: 1) a severance tax on natural gas drillers; 2) closing tax loopholes used by wealthy corporations, and 3) passing a Fair Share plan that would cut taxes on workers’ wages and increase the rate paid by wealthier Pennsylvanians on non-wage income such as capital gains and dividends.

It’s time to pass a budget that puts people first and ensures that corporations and the wealthy are paying their share.

To: PA Legislators
From: [Your Name]

We the undersigned constituents are calling on the General Assembly, the senators and representatives sent to Harrisburg to represent us, to pass a budget that INVESTS in our communities, not a budget that cuts needed programs and is balanced with gimmicks and by borrowing from our future.

Any notion that we are already investing enough in our communities isn't based on facts. The reality is that many schools across the state don't have the resources they need to adequately prepare our children for the future and inadequate state funding is leading to higher property taxes and inequity in educational opportunity. We have long waiting list for vital services our neighbors and family members need to live dignified and productive lives. Our roads and bridges are failing. Insufficient investment in our colleges and universities is making higher education and training unaffordable for working Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania’s environment, natural resources, and state parks are at risk due to inadequate funding, threatening the safety and well-being of all.

These conditions are unacceptable, and the future of Pennsylvania and its residents is deteriorating due to continued austere budgets.

It's time to find the revenue needed to INVEST in Pennsylvania again by:
1) passing a severance tax on natural gas; 2) closing corporate tax loopholes, and 3) passing a Fair Share plan that would cut taxes on workers’ wages and increase the rate paid by wealthier Pennsylvanians on non-wage income such as capital gains and dividends.

The people of Pennsylvania are watching.