Dec. 12, 2023
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) today said that the working-class tax increase in House Bill 181 will be harmful to Pennsylvanians.
“Things need to be called out for what they are, and
House Bill 181 is an unfair working-class tax increase that massively expands the size and scope of one of the most unreliable departments in Pennsylvania’s bureaucracy,” Cutler said.
House Bill 181 would increase taxes on every working Pennsylvanians through an increase in the payroll tax that would fund the paid leave program in the legislation.
“We are in the middle of the holiday season and families that are already struggling to make ends meet are feeling the pain of increased costs and years of increased inflation. When House Democrats force votes on a massive working-class tax increase in the middle of the most income-sensitive time of year for Pennsylvanians, they send the message that they do not care,” Cutler added. “We should be inspiring people and opening doors for them to be able to achieve more. Not telling them they need to do more with less.”
Cutler also noted that the program seeks to expand the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the same department that failed working Pennsylvanians seeking unemployment compensation benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People could not get their benefits. Folks were left with plenty of unanswered calls, but no money. And the Department of Labor and Industry was singularly and solely the point of failure,” Cutler said. “And what is their reward? House Democrats now want to put them in charge of more benefits to help Pennsylvanians who need to take leave time under this program. That is outlandish and irresponsible.”
House Bill 181 is scheduled for a final vote in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Republican Leader Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives