For Immediate Release
September 29, 2009
Contact: Tim Nyquist
(814) 726-7201
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Scarnati:  Workers and Businesses Defended in Budget

WARREN—While there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation regarding Pennsylvania workers and businesses, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati wants to set the record straight.

"Even though the Commonwealth continues to struggle with revenue collections due to the state of the economy, this budget reflects an understanding that we must provide an environment where workers are working and businesses are doing business," Scarnati stated.  "While some critics fail to understand the fiscal reality of the taxpayer, Senate Republicans found, a balance of assisting our workers and businesses and not taking money out of working families paychecks."

Scarnati mentioned that various business groups, such as the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, have come to the forefront with their thoughts on the budget, even though there was a slowdown in the phase out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax.  They too recognized that taxpayers were burdened enough, and that was illustrated by Chamber President Floyd Warner.

"Given the substantial fiscal challenges facing the Commonwealth this budget cycle, the pressure from many in state government for more spending and higher taxes, and memories of 1991 still fresh in our minds, business and individual taxpayers face a potentially disastrous scenario," Warner said.  The PA Chamber commends lawmakers who stood up for fiscal restraint and developed a sustainable budget."

According to Warner, while they were disappointed with the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax dilemma, they were pleased with the other various business tax changes that will help with job creation and economic growth.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati also pointed out that he continues to favor the phase out or reduction of business taxes that would allow job creators to keep workers working.

"Unfortunately, this budget has a lot of pain in it, but in the end, the bottom line is we did NOT take money out of working families' paychecks, there was no sales tax increase, and this budget spends less than last year's budget," Scarnati concluded.  "You will always have critics who misinform, but the truth is that taxpayers, workers, and businesses were defended."