(letter sent to Daily Local News 8/18/08)

The public would be better served if Mr. Royer would provide his philosophy of government – what should government do and how should we pay for it — before beginning the tired, worn-out Republican mantra ‘lower taxes solve all problems.’

He implies that the state spends more on welfare than education.  A quick fact check on line suggests otherwise – 42% of the general fund for education, 17% for DPW and human services.

He wants more state funding for West Chester schools, but wants to cut seniors’ real estate (school) taxes and taxes overall.  There is no free lunch, if we want good schools we have to pay for them.

He recommends cutting the income tax rate by 0.08%.  That would reduce state income by $300 million - sounds like a lot to those who are not multi-millionaires.  However, from 2005 data (most recent available) the median taxable income in PA is less than $30K, and the average is less than $50K.  The tax reduction is a whopping $24-$40 PER YEAR for them, and a $200,000 income gets a $160 PER YEAR reduction.

Another Republican talking point — cutting business taxes.  But corporations pay only 11% of the general fund income, while we individuals pay 40%. How do we know that corporations are not cooking the books and avoiding taxes at the state level as they are doing at the federal level?

He wants to cut the Utility Gross Receipts Tax by 50%.  PECO says my GRT was $3.81 last month.  Is this another proposed give away to the big corporate users?  Would we the people be better served by ensuring that the GRT is used to develop renewable, green power?

Are we the people of PA really better off as a group with his proposed tax policies, or better off pooling our taxes in order to ensure better education, roads and other infrastructure, health, police, etc.?  I say the latter.

B. Gerard Bricks, Ph.D.
Kennett Square