HARRISBURG – State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) voted “no” today on House Bill 790, the 2019-20 state budget spending plan, which spends almost $34 billion.
After it ultimately passed in the House by a 140-62 vote, Bernstine issued the following statement:
“I didn’t come here to be a copy-paste legislator, I came here to lead on real issues. Before I got elected, I watched Harrisburg politicians put the highest gasoline tax in the country on people’s backs, and I refuse to spend more of their money than is absolutely necessary. Taxpayers were overtaxed by nearly $850 million this year, and that money should’ve been returned to them. I won’t stand by and let politicians continue to act like this is monopoly money while real people are working hard every day just to make ends meet.”
Republicans passed Act 89 in 2012 to increase our gasoline tax
8.9% in 2012
9.6% in 2013
17.8% in 2014
21.9% in 2015
17.9% in 2016
“This proposed 2019-20 budget does just the opposite by adding burden to taxpayers who are already paying the highest gasoline tax and some of the most oppressive property taxes in the country.” –Bernstine, 2/5/2019
• Berntine does nothing to reduce the gasoline tax.
• Bernstine does nothing to eliminate property taxes as promised with the introduction of the Lottery in 1971.
“As we wade into the details of the state budget, we must first look at ways to cut spending and invest taxpayer dollars only in the most vital government services if we want to move Pennsylvania forward.” –Bernstine, 2-9-2017
• Bernstine found no spending cuts.
• Bernstine voted to borrow $1 ½ TRILLION (+interest) to balance the 2018 budget.