Keystone Today

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff says Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest budget outline would prioritize a huge spending increase.

“The budget offered by Gov. Wolf prioritizes massive spending increases funded by a tax hike on middle-class Pennsylvanians, not vaccines or getting PA back to normal,” Benninghoff tweeted.

Republicans disagree with the $42 billion budget because it increases taxes for those who are already suffering, Benninghoff said at a news conference.

Benninghoff highlighted that many people have already gone for 10 months without work and businesses are struggling to even continue operating. He also questioned who would keep the economy going. The budget has been labeled unrealistic and hurtful to taxpayers. 

The governor’s plan is to increase funding for public schools by $1.35 billion and push billions of existing education dollars through the state’s fair-funding program.

The Wolf administration said the proposed budget would exempt those earning less than $15,001 if single and less than $30,001 for couples while providing a $10,000 allowance for dependents at the expense of the top one-third earners.