March 28, 2022Press Releases

Pennsylvanians are Hearing About Josh Shapiro’s Plan to Cut Taxes and Lower Costs All Across the Commonwealth

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Monday, March 28, 2022

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Pennsylvanians are Hearing About Josh Shapiro’s Plan to Cut Taxes and Lower Costs All Across the Commonwealth

“I don’t write off any Pennsylvanian. I don’t write off any community. I actually think it’s important to show up and listen”

PENNSYLVANIA – Over the last two weeks, Pennsylvanians have been hearing about Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s plan to cut taxes and tackle rising costs in every media market and all over the Commonwealth. Shapiro knows Pennsylvanians are struggling with the rising costs of everything – and as he campaigns in communities all across Pennsylvania, Shapiro is laser focused on delivering real relief as Governor.

Check out some of what Pennsylvanians have been seeing and reading across the Commonwealth below.

WFMZ 69: AG Josh Shapiro pitches proposed tax plan as gubernatorial candidate
From 69 News, 03/21/22

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is taking his campaign for governor on the road, and he made a stop Monday in the Lehigh Valley. […]

In an interview at WFMZ Monday, Shapiro touted his plan to cut taxes to help people fight off inflation.

He says the people of Pennsylvania are hurting. After two difficult years dealing with the pandemic and now rising costs at the pump, grocery stores, and many other places, he says people are struggling.

He says his proposed tax cut would “put money back in Pennsylvanian’s pockets.”

WKOK 1070 (Sunbury): Shapiro: I’ll Cut the Cellphone Tax, and Give Gas Tax Rebates
From WKOK Staff, 03/24/22

Using the state’s multi-billion-dollar surplus to cut taxes and pay for gas tax givebacks, are part of Josh Shapiro tax plan. […] “We’re sitting on about $7 billion in state accounts that’s doing absolutely nothing to help the people of Pennsylvania. It’s your money that was sent to Harrisburg and it’s not helping you. So, what I want to do is take a portion of that money and give it back to the people so they can put it to use.” […]

Asked why he is campaigning in the republican rich middle of Pennsylvania, he said, “If you go back and look at my two races for Attorney General, we outperformed nearly every other Democrat in ‘The T.’ So, I don’t write off any Pennsylvanian. I don’t write off any community. I actually think it’s important to show up and listen, so you’ll see me continue to show up in the so-called ‘T.’” The T refers to GOP heavy middle and top tier of Pennsylvania, minus the Democratic strongholds of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

WGAL 8: Pennsylvania governor candidate Josh Shapiro touts plan to give financial relief to residents
By Tom Lehman, 03/24/22

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro was in Cumberland County on Thursday touting a plan he says would give financial relief to households in the commonwealth.

Shapiro, the only Democrat in the race for governor, spoke about a plan he said could be implemented now. […]

“I’ve got a long track record of getting things done. This is one piece of many plans we’ll be putting out throughout this campaign. This is achievable. It’s doable. It’s bipartisan. And most importantly, this is what the good people of Pennsylvania want right now,” he said.

Shapiro said the gas tax refund would come from American Rescue Plan Act funds. He also said his plan would pass legal muster, unlike plans floated by Republican rivals.

PennLive: Shapiro offers his $2 billion-plus tax elimination and rebate plan ‘to give people relief today’
By Jan Murphy, 03/24/22

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro is calling on the General Assembly to act immediately to help Pennsylvanians with rising costs of gas, food, and other household goods by putting money back in their pockets through his three-point tax elimination and rebate plan.

Speaking outside the East Pennsboro Township home of one of his supporters on Thursday, Shapiro called his plan “a common sense bipartisan approach to give people relief today.” […]

“I hope the legislature would act now,” said Shapiro, the presumed Democratic gubernatorial nominee, “but if they don’t, I’ll be prepared on day one as Pennsylvania’s next governor to act to put these resources into people’s pockets.”

ABC27: Josh Shapiro makes campaign stop in Cumberland Co.
By James Wesser, 03/24/22

Gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro (D) made a campaign stop in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County on Thursday, March 24.

Shapiro is going on tour to promote his plan to help with inflation. He has proposed eliminating 11% state taxes on cell phones bills and expanding the state’s rent and property tax rebate program. […]

“Right now, we have an opportunity to put money back in the pockets of Pennsylvanians who are struggling, and I think we need to act right now,” Shapiro said.

NBC10 Philadelphia: Josh Shapiro Pushes Plan for Financial Relief

Pennsylvania Attorney General and Democratic candidate for Governor Josh Shapiro is touting his plan to give financial relief to households in the Commonwealth.

During a visit in Cumberland County, Shapiro said he wants to eliminate an 11% sales tax on cell phones that generates more than 300 million each year — and expand the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program. He’s also calling for giving drivers a $250 gas tax refund per personal vehicle.

WTAJ-TV: Shapiro Promotes Plan to Cut Taxes

Josh Shapiro was in Cumberland County yesterday. He is on tour promoting a plan that would cut taxes to help with inflation. Shapiro has proposed eliminating the 11% state taxes on cell phone bills and expanding the state’s Rent and Property Tax Rebate Program.

“Right now we have an opportunity to put money back in the pockets of Pennsylvanians who are struggling, and I think we need to act right now.”

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Shapiro pitches tax plans, including gas refund
By Bill O’Boyle, 03/18/22

Attorney General Josh Shapiro Thursday released a plan to tackle rising costs and cut taxes for Pennsylvanians if he is elected governor.

In an interview at the Times Leader, Shapiro said he knows Pennsylvanians are struggling with and worried about rising costs — as the prices of food, gas, and other staples continue to climb. […]

That’s why Shapiro said he is releasing a three-part plan to cut taxes, protect consumers, and put money “back in folks’ pockets.”

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: During Pittsburgh stop, Josh Shapiro promises to cut costs for Pennsylvania families if he’s elected governor
By Julian Routh, 03/18/22

Labeling the prospect of cutting the state’s gas tax a “political talking point” that won’t actually help working Pennsylvanians, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the lone Democratic contender for governor, said “real relief” from rising costs will come from his plan to put money back into the pockets of individuals.

In a visit to Forest Hills on Friday, Mr. Shapiro, joined by two working moms who said they’re feeling the stresses of rising gas and grocery prices, pledged to eliminate a state tax on cell phone bills, expand a popular property tax rent rebate program for seniors and give drivers a $250 gas tax refund for each car they own.

Mr. Shapiro pitched the plan as an alternative to cutting the gas tax, which has become a staple of the Republican Party’s platform in Pennsylvania specifically. The attorney general said the idea would compromise public safety, noting that the gas tax covers the cost of state police and infrastructure investments. […]

“While they’re working to put money in the pockets of oil and gas executives, I’m working to put money in the pockets of Pennsylvanians who right now are dealing with these high costs,” Mr. Shapiro said.

WKBN 27: Attorney General Josh Shapiro makes campaign stop in Erie
By Brian Wilk, 03/18/22

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro made a pit stop in Erie on Friday as he looked to become the state’s next governor.

He highlighted his plan that he said would put money back in the pockets of Pennsylvanians.

Shapiro said Pennsylvanians are being crushed under a mountain of rising prices. He said there are a number of issues that are causing these rising prices. Some of them are global issues. […]

He said we are being forced to stretch our paychecks further and that’s why we need to take real action to cut taxes, protect consumers and put money back in our pockets. […]

Meadville resident Lindsey Scott spoke at the campaign stop. She said Shapiro’s new plan is a big help for mothers like her.

“I think that working families and, especially, places that have working moms working a lot, a lot of driving around and taking care of our community then taking care of our kids need a break. Any direct break that legislation can give them is great,” said Lindsey Scott, Meadville resident.

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