Mixed Opinions on Need for Sales Tax

Members of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg last week to urge the governor and lawmakers to give them more flexibility in raising revenues. As an organization, the commissioners asked for the authority to impose a county sales tax or an earned income tax. In his budget address Wednesday, Governor Rendell said he would support allowing the counties to increase the state sales tax from the current 6% to 7%. The counties would then keep half of the revenues from the extra 1% and distribute the remainder to municipalities within the county.
However, several county commissioners from southwestern Pennsylvania disagree with their organization over the sales tax issue. Westmoreland County Commissioners Tom Balya and Charles Anderson don't support a sales tax increase. Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey told DUQ News that adding the tax would not help the economy.
However, Commissioner P.J. Stevens of Cambria County says county officials do need options whether it's a sales tax or earned income tax.