Andrew Bosh – 2/11/18

This page was last updated on February 15, 2018.

Bernstine’s criticism ignores budget needs; Andrew Bosh (AB); Beaver County Times; February 11, 2018.

AB is a member of the Beaver County Democratic Committee’s (BCDC) executive board.

This letter appears to be part of a mini-blitz of letters-to-the-editor from the BCDC and Beaver County Young Democrats (BCYD) published by the BCT. Go here for the details.

The BCT usually notes when an author is in a leadership position of a politics-oriented organization, but did not in this case. It’s likely the BCT relies on prior knowledge and/or self-reporting.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Only minutes after Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his proposed 2018-2019 budget on Tuesday, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine could already be heard whining in his carefully honed political speak.

“Bernstine complains and claims in a press release that Wolf is asking ‘the people of Pennsylvania’ to pay more ‘to fund Harrisburg spending.’ Of course, Bernstine fails to mention that Wolf’s balanced budget contains no tax increases for the middle class. Instead, the budget calls for raising money by closing tax loopholes used by foreign corporations and by passing a modest severance tax on extremely profitable gas companies. Wolf proposes using this money to help create manufacturing jobs, to combat the opioid crisis and to strengthen education.”

[RWC] I suspect AB’s definition of a “loophole” is a legal provision of the tax code he doesn’t like, probably because he believes it doesn’t benefit him personally or professionally. For example, if you didn’t like the home-mortgage interest deduction because you rent or your house is paid for, you would call it a loophole because the deduction reduces the tax liability of taxpayers who can use it. You would claim the deduction (loophole) allows some taxpayers to escape paying their “fair share” of taxes. When AB files his personal income tax returns, does anyone believe he doesn’t take advantage of every deduction, exemption, etc. (aka loophole) the tax laws allow him to use?

“No tax increases for the middle class?” Who does AB think would ultimately pay the “modest severance tax?” Even the BCT way back in 2011 noted severance taxes are ultimately paid by consumers.

What about gas companies that aren’t “extremely profitable?” Would they still need to serve as tax collectors for the Commonwealth?

Finally, it is not the Governor’s job to “create manufacturing jobs” or any other jobs. The best way to grow businesses is to provide a business-friendly environment, which just happens to be a taxpayer-friendly environment.

“Apparently, when Bernstine says ‘the people of Pennsylvania,’ he means tax-dodging multi-state corporations, and when he says ‘Harrisburg spending,’ he means badly needed education funding, workforce development and public works investment.

“Voters should question why Bernstine demands that important social services be cut so that wealthy corporate interests can pay less in taxes.

“While other Beaver County Republican officials conceded on Tuesday that Wolf proposed a reasonable budget, Bernstine immediately resorted to partisan attacks. Politicians like Bernstine are the reason why a state budget cannot be passed on time, resulting in credit downgrades for Pennsylvania. The people of the 10th District deserve better.”

[RWC] Not exactly. According to BCT pundit J.D. Prose, “While local Republican legislators were satisfied with some parts of Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal on Tuesday, they still had plenty of criticism for his $33 billion plan that includes more money for education and workforce development, a controversial severance tax on drilling and a recommendation to raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour.”