Gerlach Opposes Budget That Saddles Pennsylvania Families with Higher Taxes, Debt

Press Release

Gerlach Opposes Budget That Saddles Pennsylvania Families with Higher Taxes, Debt

The average paycheck will shrink by about $3,000 per year in Pennsylvania

House Democratic Leadership will ask the average Pennsylvania taxpayer to send Washington an extra $3,000 per year in taxes as part of the fiscally irresponsible 2009 fiscal year budget headed to President Bush's desk.

The lack of fiscal discipline prompted Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) to stand with families in voting against the $3 trillion spending plan, which includes the largest tax increase in history.

This budget also is estimated to pile an additional $6,440 of debt on the average taxpayer.

"At a time when working families are coping with tighter budgets, Congress should not continue racking up what amounts to a credit card bill that our children and grandchildren will be stuck paying," Gerlach said. "Raising taxes by a total of $683 billion is not a fiscal policy that will boost this economy or create jobs."

Here are some other sobering facts about the 2009 fiscal year budget:

* Overall spending tops $3 trillion for the first time in U.S. history.
* Annual increase in debt is about $800 billion.
* U.S. Troops in Afghanistan and Iraq do not receive full-funding to carry out their duties.

"In a year when citizens are clamoring for change in the way Washington does businesses, this budget keeps Congress stuck in the rut of taking more out of people's pockets and plunging the nation deeper in debt," Gerlach said.

Source