BELLEFONTE -- Gov. Ed Rendell urged residents Thursday to accept what will be for most a one-half percent hike in personal income taxes for three years to avoid increasing local property tax to support the educational budget.
"I'm not happy about being here telling you why I need to raise taxes," Rendell said.
"But, I need your help."
Rendell spoke to a crowd of more than 100 people at a press conference held in the main lobby of the Bellefonte Area High School, 830 E. Bishop St.
The governor said it is necessary to cut funding to the four Pennsylvania state-related universities, including Penn State, to help trim $1 billion in education spending from the state budget.
Penn State spokesperson Geoff Rushton said university officials are very concerned with the cuts in financial assistance from the state, and the university hopes it is considered for stimulus funds.
"It's a very troubling cut we could face if that gets approved," Rushton said.
"We hope that things will be worked out as the legislation comes to a state budget for the year."
Centre County Commissioner Jon Eich, who attended the press conference, said a cut in funding for Penn State would not be a smart move.
"I think that is a huge threat here in Centre County," Eich said.
"If we wipe out funding for the university, it's going to have a huge impact on the students, employees and county."
Rendell said Pennsylvania has the second-lowest income tax rate in the nation.
His proposed tax raise from 3.07 percent to 3.57 percent will make the commonwealth the third lowest, he said.
To avoid increasing property taxes to fund education, Rendell said the average citizen earning $48,000 per year would pay an additional $4.50 a week, and residents earning $100,000 per year would pay $9.70 more per week.
Eich said he is also worried about the loss of state funding for Centre County programs such as mental health/mental retardation programs, libraries and programs assisting low-income residents.
"We are past the July 1 deadline
and are faced with another budget showdown," Eich said.
"We cannot balance the state budget on the backs of our children, elderly, poor and our handicapped."
Doug Bates, a school district employee who was at the press conference, said he can never agree with a tax increase, but he understands the financial need given the current economic times.
"I can bear that burden a little bit," Bates said. "But I don't think he's making an effort to get help from somewhere else."
Rendell said people have no problem writing a check for Tsunami relief, but hesitate when it comes to paying more in taxes for their own communities.
Rendell told the story of a student who called himself "stupid" until he received four months of tutoring through an after school program.
"Isn't that worth fighting for?" he said. "Isn't that worth paying $4.50 a week?"
