What people don't seem to realize is their taxes or fees will go up with or without Legislative action. The Legislature passed Act 64, which mandates at least $2.3 Billion in new government and private sector spending, and possibly a great deal more. They enacted the spending requirements before they had an estimate of the cost or a plan for how to pay for it. So the projects are already being planned. Absent some action by the Legislature to provide state funding to support these costs the entire burden will fall to municipalities and businesses, including farms. Property taxpayers and sewer utility ratepayers will carry the full public sector burden. So the question is not whether to increase taxes and fees - that was decided when Act 64 was passed. The question is which taxes and fees will be raised to pay these bills?
Re: “Panel Recommends $31 Million in Taxes, Fees for Clean Water Efforts”
Quick edit to my last comment - the $2.3 Billion would be partially paid for by existing state and federal assistance, but almost all of that is loans, which means property taxpayers and utility fee payers will eventually pay for most of it.