Democrats back income tax increase

Democrats are starting to line up behind Governor Rendell’s proposal to raise Pennsylvania’s personal income tax.

Democrats are starting to line up behind Governor Rendell’s proposal to raise Pennsylvania’s personal income tax.

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[audio: 090622sdhike.mp3]

Leaders from both the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses say they’re supporting a temporary sixteen percent income tax increase as a way to generate new revenue and help the commonwealth climb out of a three billion dollar deficit.

Senate Minority Leader Bob Mellow of Lackawanna County say taxpayers are willing to pay a bit more in order to keep state services they rely on.

Mellow says it may take until August to pass a budget, even though the legal deadline for a new spending plan is June 30th.

House Speaker Keith McCall and Majority Leader Todd Eachus say they’re supporting the income tax hike, too, and are working to convince the rest of their caucus to back the plan.