Wiley Weighs in on Potentially Disastrous Budget Cuts
Another of Erie's legslators is also unhapppy.
Disdainful comments regarding cuts to the Pennsylvania Research and Development Tax Credit and the Keystone Innovation Zone program are pouring in at the moment.
Moments ago, State Senator Sean Wiley joined State Representative Ryan Bizzarro (who contacted me earlier today) in issuing a response to Erie Reader Managing Editor Ben Speggen's story from this morning, "PA House of Representatives About to Cripple Small Businesses in Our Area." Below, I've reproduced Wiley's email verbatim, so you know where he, too, stands on the potentially disastrous impact such cuts would have not only on Erie, but also on the rest of the Commonweath. But first, read Ben Speggen's original story and learn how to contact your legislators here:
http://www.eriereader.com/article/pa-house-of-representatives-about-to-cripple-small-businesses-in-our-area
Then, read Ryan Bizzarro's statement from earlier today here:
http://www.eriereader.com/article/state-representative-responds-to-budget-cuts
Stripping tax credits is not the answer, by Senator Sean Wiley
Mr. Speggen is on point in regards to HB 2188, and the decision to put a number of tax credits on hiatus that promote economic development in this Commonwealth.
The House proposal, at this rate, removes nearly every tax credit program out there.
Throughout the Governors term in office, he has been downsizing economic development, refocusing whatever resources are available and taking away tools that small businesses and businesses in general use to create jobs.
The Senate needs to step up, look at these proposals and make sure the tax credits are restored. We must continue to look for other revenue and cost-saving opportunities that support rather than hinder the development and sustainability of our small businesses.
I think it's safe to say that this isn't really a serious attempt to resolve our budget dilemma. What it is is a radical manifesto filled with nonsensical ideas that will be promptly discredited by me and my colleagues in the Senate. We simply do not have time for this kind of grandstanding.
