SUNBURY – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23rd, Loyalsock Township) was on WKOK’s On The Mark recently talking about the state budget and he says, it’s worse that than you think, “I just saw some numbers about the tax collections last month, it was a record low. Overall, this year, this fiscal year, our revenue collections are off about 5%. So whatever deficit we did have before has just been compounded.”
Senator Yaw rejected the often heard phrase that Pennsylvania has a spending problem and not revenue problem by saying that it’s simply not true, and that it may come down to demographics, “We have one of the oldest populations in the country. We have tremendous benefits for seniors and yet we don’t tax retirement benefits. We’re one of only two states in the country that does not tax that. So, frankly, we’re giving away a lot of benefits and then we have to say ‘ok, who’s going to pay for it.’”
Senator Yaw says that talking about raising taxes is never a popular solution, but it’s either that, or it’s the possibility of losing some benefits. “Nobody wants to talk about raising taxes, that’s like touching the third rail. Unfortunately, that’s one of the things I think we need to take a look at. We either have to cut back on some of the benefits we give, or else we have to raise more revenue.”
Yaw talked about taxing retirement benefits, saying that may be necessary in the years ahead. You can hear the complete interview with Senator Yaw at WKOK.com. (Christopher Elio)
