HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — It was a busy week in the Pennsylvania House, passing several bills to fill out Gov. Josh Shapiro’s agenda, while teeing-up a couple others for a vote next week.
The House passed an earned income tax credit for lower income Pennsylvanians and an expansion of the child care tax credit. Republican Seth Grove, minority chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, argued against the child care tax credit.
“This program assists the wealthy. I think it's worth noting 60% of beneficiaries, those making $75,000 or more, will receive 61% of the benefit,” Grove said.
Grove said it should focus on families who need it the most.
“You're right,” said House Majority Leader Matt Bradford. “Members in Lehigh, and Chester, and Montgomery and Centre and Bucks will get to take advantage of this tax credit. Because it's the right thing to do. It's pro-business. It’s pro-worker.”
The House also unanimously passed a bill that would exempt cell phone bills from state sales and gross receipts taxes. Another bill would increase the 911 surcharge to fund next-gen 911 services and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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Montgomery County Democrat Greg Scott says next-generation 911 can give pinpoint locations, similar to apps like Uber or Lyft.
“Currently, when someone calls 911 from a cell phone, which is 82% of the time in Montgomery County, we receive an estimated location within 300 meters,” Scott said.
Grove says he’s against the bill because of increases in the surcharge tied to inflation.
“I believe in the importance of funding 911, I would gladly support this bill if it removed the automatic increases,” he said.
“Benchmarking taxes to inflation is a dangerous precedent, which should be outright rejected by this body.”
The House has set up votes for next week on a minimum wage hike, and a tax credit for new nurses, teachers and police officers.
All the bills face an uncertain future in the Senate, where Republican leaders say they’re concerned about the collective price tag.