Delaware County Families, Faith-Based Organizations & Advocates Unite to Call for Delay on Tax Cut for Corporations
(PHILADELPHIA) June 21st, 2013 –Families, faith-based organizations and advocates from across the region will took the fight for school and health care funding to the Delaware County courthouse in Media today.
They called on state lawmakers to delay the elimination of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax to free up funding for schools and other critical services that have faced cutbacks in recent year. The tax has already been reduced by 85% and is at a historic low.
Current state law will eliminate the capital stock and franchise tax, now at a record low rate, in 2014. Keeping that tax at 2012 levels would raise an additional $360 million for the 2013-14 budget, helping prevent deep cuts to investments that are crucial to Pennsylvania’s future.
Speakers included Sister Sandra Lyons- Director of the Bernardine Center, Joanna Petrosina- Director of Christ Church Preschool, Diana Marques from Pathways PA, Chris Jefferson- resident of the Ralph Moses House, Dr. Robert Berley of the Delaware County Literacy Council, Tatiana Moskatova- Alumnus of the Delaware County Literacy Council Tutoring Program, Kate Atkins from Better Choices PA Coalition, and William Kaplan, a parents in the Upper Darby School District.
“As a person of faith living in this Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I, and many others with me, seek justice for the distressed among us. We beg our state legislators to reinvest in our schools and communities” said Sister Lyons. She also noted “We cannot, as a Commonwealth, afford new tax cuts, such as called for by the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax for businesses.”
A freeze on the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax is not unprecedented. Reductions to the tax have been delayed five times in the last 15 years. Delaware County Literacy Council board member Dr. Robert Berley argues that delaying the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax to make investments in education is a pro-business decision. "As stewards of the tax monies provided by hardworking citizens and businesses in Delaware County,” he said, “you can know that the return on your investment in these kinds of ‘human infrastructure’ will pay off immediately and for the long term in terms of a more qualified workforce and better informed citizenry.”
Kate Atkins from Better Choices PA Coalition said, “School districts, health care and other programs across the state could benefit greatly if Harrisburg would vote to delay the elimination of this tax. We can balance this year’s budget without shortchanging our children and communities and our state’s long-term economic competitiveness.”
Joining Atkins outside the Courthouse were parents mobilized by Public Citizens for Children and Youth. Executive Director Donna Cooper said “When state revenues are so tight, now is not the time to further reduce taxes on anyone, especially when doing so would put the health and education needs of our children at risk.”
For additional comment or to set up an interview, please contact Anthony Hopkins, Communications Director at 215-563-5848 ext. 23 or 484-433-7490.
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