Robbins: General Assembly Passes Bills Providing Tax Relief for Guard Members, Cost Savings for Fire Companies, Tax-Free Costs for Copies of Government Documents

Harrisburg – Three bills sent to the Governor will provide tax relief for members of the National Guard, assist emergency responders in purchasing equipment, and cut the cost of obtaining copies of government documents, state Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) said today.

Robbins said Senate Bill 1139 will exempt from the state income tax the pay of Pennsylvania National Guard members who are called to active state duty during an emergency. The exemption applies to the service within or outside the commonwealth. Current law applies only to service outside Pennsylvania. The exemption will apply to tax years after December 31, 2006.

"In many cases, the compensation that these men and women receive as Guard members is below what they earn in their regular jobs, so they are already making a financial sacrifice to serve. Having the state tax their income just makes matters worse. The families left behind when a member is called to duty often times need every dollar earned to make ends meet," said Robbins.

To help local emergency responders purchase equipment, lawmakers passed House Bill 105, which will permit volunteer or municipal emergency responder organizations to purchase fire, EMS, and rescue equipment on state contract.

"Municipalities already save money by purchasing items such as police cars and snow plows through the state. With fire companies and EMS units struggling to cover costs, it only makes sense to include life-saving equipment, fire trucks and ambulances in such these cooperative purchasing contracts with the state," said Robbins.

Citizens purchasing copies of government documents will no longer have to pay sales and use taxes on the transaction, Robbins said. Senate Bill 1331 waives sales and use taxes on the purchase, transfer, or duplication of a public document sold by a government agency or court.

"It's one thing for government to charge a fee to cover the cost of the transaction. It's quite another to add taxes to the process. Open government means making such documents readily available to any citizen who requests them," said Robbins.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322