State Rep. Tim O'Neal | Pennsylvania 48th Legislative District
State Rep. Tim O'Neal | Pennsylvania 48th Legislative District
For the people across Pennsylvania, the past few years have been marked by economic uncertainty and rising costs. Inflation has affected many, with families and seniors witnessing increases in grocery bills, energy costs, home prices, and rent.
"President Joe Biden and Gov. Josh Shapiro certainly have their ideas," writes Rep. Tim O’Neal. "Essentially, they say the government needs more of your money so that they can decide how to spend your tax dollars to best help you. How is that going?"
Pennsylvania is projected to have a budget surplus of over $14 billion. According to O'Neal, Gov. Shapiro’s response involves increased spending on government programs, which he argues could lead to significant tax hikes in the future.
O'Neal notes that since his election in 2018, Pennsylvania's spending has increased by nearly $13 billion or 40%. He questions whether this spending directly benefits residents.
"It’s time we throw out the notion that the only way to improve people’s lives is to take more of their money and spend it," says O'Neal. "Why not invest in working families rather than government? Let’s get out of people’s wallets and let them keep more of their hard-earned money."
O'Neal advocates for historic tax cuts for all Pennsylvanians. Recently, bipartisan legislation was passed by the state Senate to reduce Personal Income Tax and eliminate a tax on electricity bills. House Republicans are pushing for similar legislation and urging House Democrats to act.
"We are not talking about tax breaks for just a privileged few or for massive corporations," explains O'Neal. "This plan would mean more money in every single Pennsylvanian’s paycheck and would immediately reduce electricity bills for every single consumer."
He emphasizes how even small financial boosts could significantly impact working families and retirees.
"Harrisburg politicians need to stop worrying about increasing government revenue and spending it all on big plans of which no one has even heard," he states. "We have a chance to act now and immediately change the lives of every single Pennsylvanian."
O'Neal concludes by calling for investment in Pennsylvania's residents rather than its government through immediate tax cuts.
Rep. Tim O’Neal represents the 48th Legislative District in Washington County and serves as the Republican Whip.
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