Adopting a state budget each year is one of the most important tasks of the General Assembly. I take seriously my commitment to ensure your tax dollars are invested responsibly to support the core functions of government.

That’s why I was very disappointed last week as majority House Democrats piled on to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s already bloated budget and forced through a nearly $46.5 billion spending plan. That’s a $5.7 billion, or 14%, increase over the current year! This level of spending is unsustainable and, if enacted, would lead to a 30% tax hike in the near future. It is important to note the state Independent Fiscal Office forecasts Pennsylvania budget deficits in the near-term: a $1.67 billion shortfall in 2023-24; $2.4 billion in 2024-25, and more than $3 billion per year after that. Those numbers could drastically increase if the economy enters into a lengthy recession as many economists predict.

We cannot and should not spend money we don’t have. Our citizens should not bear the burden of higher taxes to pay for a bigger government. I believe Pennsylvanians should keep more of their hard-earned money and give far less to state government. Pennsylvanians are hurting at the grocery store, at the gas pump and from paying high electric bills. Inflation is causing small business owners to make tough decisions and tighten their belts – state government must do the same and be more responsible with taxpayer dollars.

Equally damaging is the inclusion of a $663 million energy tax on Pennsylvania employers and consumers. According to the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), this tax would increase electricity rates by nearly four times.

I am still advocating fiercely for the passage of the Taxpayer Protection Act. We need guardrails on spending so we stop taxing people out of their homes and out of Pennsylvania. Rest assured that I will never support a budget plan that increases taxes and spends frivolously.

House Bill 611 now goes to the Senate, where I am hopeful it will be amended to reflect the needs and wishes of our hard-working taxpayers in the Commonwealth.

State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, represents part of Lycoming County and all of Sullivan County in the state Legislature.