Editor:
“Tax keeps Pa.’s gas prices up” (Reading Eagle, Nov. 29) bemoans our gasoline tax situation. Although I hate taxes as much as anyone, this higher rate of tax might not be as bad as described in the story.
Each state needs income to support its budget. Gasoline taxes are one of these sources. Another is the income tax. Seven states do not collect income tax. Of the remaining states only North Dakota has a lower income tax rate (2.99%) compared with Pennsylvania (3.07%). Our neighboring states range from Ohio at 3.99% to New York at 10.9%.
I’d be willing to suggest what we pay in gasoline taxes would be dwarfed by the difference in these income tax rates (New York and New Jersey are three times higher).
We have no control over the income tax. However, the gasoline tax, being a consumption tax, gives us some control. Eliminating unnecessary trips, optimizing required ones and carpooling all offer ways to reduce the burden.
A more subtle aspect of the gasoline tax is that it brings in revenue from people visiting from other states
Where Pennsylvania leaders need to put more energy on the tax front is school property taxes. Those of us living on fixed incomes have paid our dues. Most of us don’t want to move but are faced with this uncomfortable decision when the property tax bill reaches 15% to 20% of our income base. This should be a primary focus for our legislators.
Don Bucci
Maxatawny Township
Source: Berkshire mont
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