Senate tax package would cause utility bills, online purchases, fireworks to cost more [Video]

Consumers may have to reconfigure their household budgets under the tax package the Senate is considering to help balance the $32 billion budget that became law earlier this month.

The $2.2 billion revenue package that the Senate is teeing up for a vote on Thursday to pay for that spending plan includes new taxes and higher tax rates that would hit consumers and natural gas drillers’ pockets as well rely on other less direct means of generating revenue to fund state government’s needs.

The plan, if approved by the Senate as is expected, must then go to the GOP-controlled House, where Republicans thus far have shown a reticence about accepting a revenue plan that raises taxes.

Gov. Tom Wolf, meanwhile, “commends the Senate for taking a responsible step toward balancing the budget and for their willingness to include a tax on Marcellus Shale,” his spokesman J.J. Abbott said. “Governor Wolf believes all parties must quickly come together to bring this process to a close”

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