May 4, 2015 2 min read

I’m disappointed to see Jeff Sheridan, Gov. Tom Wolf’s spokesman, accuse state Sen. Camera Bartolotta of having a “profound misunderstanding” of middle-class families in his Thursday letter, while at the same time misleading readers about how Wolf’s proposal harms those same middle-class families.

Sheridan conveniently fails to mention that Wolf has proposed taxing university fees, textbooks, and meal plans, to the tune of $150 million per year.

Middle-class students will bear the brunt of that burden, as will middle-class families paying more for nursing home care, day care, diapers or utility bills. A recent study by the Independent Fiscal Office notes that every income group will pay more under Wolf’s tax increases.

While Sheridan repeats campaign slogans about changing the status quo and blames the previous administration, Wolf’s budget calls for more of the same. Following decades of spending increases and tax hikes, Pennsylvania’s tax burden rose to the 10th highest in the nation. As a result, Pennsylvania has ranked among the worst states in job, income and population growth for 40 years.

Ironically, it is Wolf who is saying no to needed reforms to get our state on the right track. He has already threatened to veto liquor store privatization and has indicated opposition to pension reform. Wolf has also been silent on Bartolotta’s own Taxpayer Protection Act, which would limit the growth of state spending and unleash the private sector.

Higher taxes and spending won’t fix Pennsylvania’s economy, and it’s time for Wolf to stop blocking reforms that will offer prosperity for all Pennsylvanians.

Nathan A. Benefield

Harrisburg

Benefield is the vice president of policy analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation.