Three state legislators from Lackawanna County who oppose Scranton's petition for a commuter tax say it would be an unfair financial hit on nonresidents who work in the city.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor, said a commuter tax would be akin to "taxation without representation."
"Under the current fiscal climate, this increase would only add another unnecessary burden on communities, families and individuals who are already struggling in the face of rising prices for goods and services," Mr. Kavulich said. His stance comes after hearings on the city's petition for a 1 percent commuter tax concluded Friday in Lackawanna County Court, and as a panel of three judges now are mulling the matter. A ruling is expected to be issued by the end of this week.
In a telephone interview, Mr. Kavulich said he had not previously taken a position on a commuter tax because, "I didn't want to get involved in the middle of the proceedings. I just felt that now as we're waiting for a decision to be made, I wanted my feelings to be known," on behalf of his constituents who would be affected by a commuter tax.
Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, and Rep.-elect Kevin Haggerty, D-112, Dunmore, said they have previously stated opposition to a commuter tax.
In a phone interview, Mr. Blake said he believes it would divide the electorate and would be a "significant hit" to commuters who already pay for parking in the city and pay an annual $52 Local Services Tax to the city.
Furthermore, a commuter tax would be counterproductive to attracting business because it would "cause employers to rethink whether they want their employees in the city. It's a bad policy from an economic growth position," Mr. Blake said.
Mr. Blake had introduced a bill for a countywide sales tax that the city also is counting on as part of its revised Act 47 recovery plan to raise revenue for the city in 2014 and 2015. He will reintroduce the sales tax bill in January, he said.
Joe Fabricatore, Mr. Haggerty's chief of staff, said in an email Mr. Haggerty had already expressed opposition to a commuter tax. Mr. Haggerty had been contacted by dozens of business owners in Scranton who are commuters and who told him they would move their businesses out of the city if a commuter tax is imposed, Mr. Fabricatore said.
One of the city's arguments for a commuter tax has been that commuters benefit from city police, fire and DPW services but get a free ride on them, and a commuter tax would offset the cost of those services. Mr. Kavulich said commuters use city services and infrastructure far less than city residents, and 1 percent commuter tax would not be proportionately pro-rated.
Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com