Republican policymakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives launched the “Freedom Through Affordability” initiative on Wednesday, aimed at providing residents with tax breaks and lower costs.
The initiative includes a package of six-month tax cuts and sales tax holidays aimed at providing immediate relief to families and workers from rising prices.
“Our goal is simple: to make Pennsylvania a place where families can afford to live, work and build their future. When people can keep more of what they earn and the costs of everyday living are within reach, they will have the freedom to make their own choices about their future. That is what this effort is about – achieving freedom through affordability for people across the commonwealth,” he said Representative David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee.
Policy Committee members are joining forces to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation that will alleviate the challenges facing working families over the next six months.
Rowe is sponsoring legislation that would lower the state’s personal income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.99% for six months.
“I propose an act that will reduce the personal income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.99% from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.” – he wrote in his letter. co-sponsorship note. “This would allow Pennsylvanians to immediately receive more money from their paychecks that they could spend on bills, school supplies, child care, groceries or just a much-needed family vacation.
Representatives Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), Vice Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, and Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland) are co-sponsoring legislation on the suspension of gross income tax on electricity and telecommunications for six months.
“Everywhere I go in my community, people are looking for a break from rising costs, especially when it comes to the basics of living,” Marcell said. “This temporary tax holiday is common sense to give them that break, save some money and make life just a little bit easier.”
Davanzo emphasized how energy costs impact the broader economy, saying: “The message to Pennsylvanians has never been louder and clearer: Energy costs are making everyday life too expensive for them. We can give families some respite here and now and help them stretch their budgets even further.”
Focusing on transport, Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) highlighted the burden of fuel costs on working families in introducing regulations suspending the state gas tax for six months.
“High fuel costs are exacerbating the financial burden on Pennsylvanians due to inflation and the continuing rise in the cost of living,” Major said. “My legislation will provide temporary relief that will make it easier to balance family budgets. I am calling for immediate action to put more money in the pockets of our hardworking residents.”
Others propose other tax holidays, including:
GOP lawmakers also emphasized the importance of listening directly to residents across the Commonwealth and announced the March 30 launch of the “Affordability Starts Here” tour.
“As vice chair of the Policy Committee on Affordability, I know how important the Pennsylvania ‘Affordability Starts Here’ tour is to so many families,” she said Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), deputy chairman of the Political Committee. “Starting next week, we’ll make our first stop in Hanover to hear about how we can lower child care costs and expand the trip to all sectors of our economy. People across the Commonwealth have great ideas, and I look forward to identifying and promoting more ways to make Pennsylvania more affordable for everyone.”
House Democrats were unimpressed.
“Just this week, House Democrats passed a minimum wage increase and a paid family and medical leave plan that will provide long-term, real relief to those struggling with rising costs,” he said. Elżbieta Rementerpress secretary to the majority leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery).
“The vast majority of House Republicans opposed these bills. People are having a hard time paying for groceries, gas, utilities and health care because of President Trump, but stopgap proposals won’t clean up Trump’s mess. We urge Senate Republicans to quickly pass both the minimum wage and paid family and sick leave to make life more affordable in Pennsylvania.”
First stops on the Republican tour include Hanover, Kingston, Sewickley, Bradford, Reinholds, Hawley and Lebanon; more dates/venues to be announced.
