A Harrisburg City Councilman says he’s puzzled why the Governor and the Republican majority in the General Assembly keep turning a blind eye to the needs of the financial crisis facing the capital city.
Councilman Brad Koplinski has suggested a temporary commuter tax to help Harrisburg get back on a sound financial footing. He also wishes the City Council could consider a drink tax or preferably a one per cent sales tax.
“The legislature singled out Harrisburg,” commented Koplinski. “They said the only taxes you can raise are property taxes and taxes on your own people.”
The councilman says that’s exactly what the city did. Council increased the property tax and the Earned Income Tax. But still there’s not enough revenue raised to fill in the spending gap.
He says the legislature and the Governor approved new local taxes for 11 other cities facing financial difficulties. The same is not being considered for Harrisburg.
Koplinski doesn’t think residents alone should bear the brunt. He says 20,000 commuters daily come to Harrisburg to work, and since they use city services, they should pay a little more in taxes.
That’s why he would support a commuter tax, a drink tax or a sales tax. But that would require approval of Capitol Hill Republicans.
"The national line of the Governor’s party says let local communities take care of themselves,” Koplinski stated. “Let them make their own decisions."
Koplinski expresses concern that other municipalities will eventually find themselves facing the same problem. He points a finger at the General Assembly, hoping it will soon consider new revenue sources for local governments.
Councilman Brad Koplinski has suggested a temporary commuter tax to help Harrisburg get back on a sound financial footing. He also wishes the City Council could consider a drink tax or preferably a one per cent sales tax.
“The legislature singled out Harrisburg,” commented Koplinski. “They said the only taxes you can raise are property taxes and taxes on your own people.”
The councilman says that’s exactly what the city did. Council increased the property tax and the Earned Income Tax. But still there’s not enough revenue raised to fill in the spending gap.
He says the legislature and the Governor approved new local taxes for 11 other cities facing financial difficulties. The same is not being considered for Harrisburg.
Koplinski doesn’t think residents alone should bear the brunt. He says 20,000 commuters daily come to Harrisburg to work, and since they use city services, they should pay a little more in taxes.
That’s why he would support a commuter tax, a drink tax or a sales tax. But that would require approval of Capitol Hill Republicans.
"The national line of the Governor’s party says let local communities take care of themselves,” Koplinski stated. “Let them make their own decisions."
Koplinski expresses concern that other municipalities will eventually find themselves facing the same problem. He points a finger at the General Assembly, hoping it will soon consider new revenue sources for local governments.