PCRG Supports Revenue, Tax Increases

The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) held a rally today to voice its support of any venture that would raise state revenues, including an income tax hike. Like many other organizations, PCRG and its member organizations are faced with budget cuts, but they say getting rid of their services would be disastrous at this time of economic stress.

PCRG Deputy Director Bethany Davidson says her organization recognizes the need for revenue, however it can be obtained. "At the end of the day, balancing the budget shouldn't be about cutting, cutting, cutting. We need to let our legislators know that it's an unpopular decision to raise taxes and raise revenues, but we're supportive of that because we understand it's the only way to keep resources flowing into our communities," says Davidson.

She says a personal income tax increase isn't the only solution. "We've heard anything from closing the Delaware Loophole, from taxing the Marcellus Shale, to tapping the rainy day fund, to a severance tax. All of these are options and some of them will need to be pieced together with other revenue sources then; they can't just stand alone. And some of them will only infuse cash for this year and, to be honest, the economy won't turn around this year. It's going to take two years, three years, so we're going to need a sustainable revenue source," says Davidson.

The PCRG includes organizations like the Service Employees International Union, Just Harvest, the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, and other groups that offer community assistance for problems like home foreclosures and health care issues.