Oh I never once said that the "plan" to increase fuel tax was going to fix the bridges, and roads (that was just the excuse for doing it)... Nor did I ever expect them to lower the tax. Only a fool believes they'll ever lower a tax that was once increased. PA now has the 2nd highest tax on fuel in the nation.
Example we have a new governor. People praised his "plan" that would tax the natural gas drilling (fracking) in order to derive more funds for schools. That's pretty noble (and might work if the fracking companies don't just take their ball and go home but you know that's another issue)... however, he also announced on it's heels a plan to increase the state Sales tax, and the State income tax... with a "plan" to lower property taxes by "up to 50%." Ok, if one looks at it on the surface that sounds great.. couple problems.
If you make 4-5 times more than you are paying in real estate taxes you'll pay more with the increase than you "save" in lower property taxes. This is a progressive tax at its best. Yes I know "The rich" should pay their fair share. What happens when "the rich" get defined down lower and lower, until rich is anything just above the poverty line.
Oh 1 more hitch... the STATE doesn't set property taxes, the counties do... Anyone wanna take bets what will happen? I'll make a prediction...
State sales tax will go up.
State income tax will go up.
Real estate (school) taxes will remain static, or go up.
I'll add that the gas companies will pull out of PA as quick as they can, to avoid getting taxed to death... they'll move on the NY state, and OH.
This isn't a politics thing... the republicans are JUST as bad as the democrats with this... the gas tax was raised under a republican, the new governor is a democrat and is proposing these additional new taxes.
Meanwhile politicians continue to tell half-truths... and we the people are lead to believe one half-truth is better than another. I just can't figure out why people keep electing these nimrods.
