West Central PA News

HARRISBURG – Working families, job creators, and energy consumers in Pennsylvania would see their taxes reduced by approximately $3 billion a year under a bill approved by the Senate today. This announcement was made by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13).

Senate Bill 269 aims to reduce the Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate from 3.07 percent to 2.8 percent, providing financial relief for every Pennsylvanian who earns a paycheck. Additionally, the bill seeks to eliminate the Gross Receipts Tax on energy starting January 1, 2025, offering significant relief from high energy costs.

The bipartisan legislation is described as veto-proof and represents the largest tax cut for working families in Pennsylvania’s history. It is projected to save taxpayers more than $13 billion over the next five years.

The tax cuts are expected to benefit all Pennsylvania families and inject an additional $3 billion into the state’s economy. This approach contrasts sharply with Governor Shapiro’s proposal for $3.2 billion in new government spending and legislation introduced by House Democrats that would nearly quadruple certain taxes paid by small businesses.

Senate Republican leaders emphasized that these tax cuts continue their efforts to protect taxpayers against unnecessary tax increases, new spending, and unchecked growth in government size.

“The Senate Republican Caucus’s top priority has been and continues to be strengthening Pennsylvania by positioning and empowering Pennsylvanians, their families, and their businesses to succeed,” said Ward. “Today, we take the next step in our relief efforts by directly returning money to Pennsylvania families by taking steps to reduce the personal income tax by nearly 10%. This budget season we will continue to prioritize Pennsylvanian families starting with a $3 billion tax cut.”

“As we go through budget negotiations... our Senate Republican Caucus is going to continue to fight for Pennsylvania taxpayers first and foremost,” Pittman stated. “Our point of view is if we’re going to invest $3 billion, we should invest it back into the taxpayers... Lower tax structures help further grow an economy.”

Martin added: “Putting this money back in the pockets of consumers, taxpayers, and job-creators is the best and fairest way to address the challenges we face... We are investing money in all Pennsylvanians and sending a strong signal that our Commonwealth is open for business.”

Senate Bill 269 has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.