Oct. 04, 2023
HARRISBURG – Members of the House Republican Caucus on Wednesday held a press conference telling Pennsylvanians that the path being taken by House Democrats on omnibus code bills is not the responsible way to lead and govern Pennsylvania.
The press conference comes on the heels of House Democrats advancing a massive Tax Code bill that costs Pennsylvanians $900 million in the current fiscal year and as much as $1.5 billion in FY 2025-26.
According to House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), House Democrats continue to roll in good policy with bad legislation instead of using mutually agreed-to policy initiatives as the starting point for legislative development.
“Ultimately what is happening not just with the Tax Code bill, but also the Fiscal Code, and the Election Code, are really missed opportunities. Because there is good policy we supported in the Tax Code bill and there will be good policy we would like to support in the Fiscal Code and the Election Code bills,” Cutler said.
“Over the next two days, I worry you will see the same pattern of missed opportunities repeated again and again as Democrats fail to do really good things for Pennsylvanians by fast-tracking bad legislation that hurts this Commonwealth’s ability to operate and will undoubtedly require Democrat-led tax increases in the future.”
House Republican Whip Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) said it is clear Democrats are continuing to play legislative games with the code bill process.
“We know Democrats believe we have good ideas because they keep stealing them,” he said. “These code bills do not have to be a one-sided omnibus redistribution of wealth, where Democrats take money from taxpayers and give it to their special interest allies.”
House Republican Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) argued it is time for House Democrats and Gov. Josh Shapiro to join Republicans in getting serious about completing the budget process. “We are 96 days into a partial budget impasse. Instead of working with House Republicans to complete the 2023-24 budget, we have a slim House majority obsessed with passing legislation 102-101 and calling it governing – that’s not governing. Not to mention, we have a governor who is completely missing in action when it comes to leading on completing the budget,” Grove said.
“I can be a conservative Republican who doesn’t ignore my core principles and compromise, and liberal Democrats can stand by their principles and compromise on a budget – it is possible,” Grove added. “But for this to work, we need House Democrats and the governor to engage with us, not pander to their party’s base.”
Republican Leader Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives