Our Commonwealth is facing a real structural budget deficit because our tax system is backwards, putting the greatest burden on the people of the least means and the lowest burden on the people with the greatest. To the concern of many, the 2026-27 budget took no steps to address the need for additional revenue to fund the Commonwealth’s growing needs. Soon the legislature will be asked whether our constituents can bear the cost of cuts to critical services or increased taxes in a regressive system. All while working Pennsylvanians are already struggling with the cost of living.

Pennsylvania’s strict Uniformity Clause is holding back our state at a time when economic gains are overwhelmingly concentrated by the wealthy elite. This has resulted in Pennsylvania being ranked as the fourth most unfair tax system in the nation, brought on by a strict Uniformity Clause that prohibits our Commonwealth from adopting a more just tax system that would benefit everyday Pennsylvanians.

A repeal of the uniformity clause would free the legislature to create fairer taxes, from a graduated income tax like many other states have, to differentiated property taxes that would provide relief for senior homeowners and other residential properties. Removal of the uniformity clause would also allow the state to create more impactful small business tax exemptions, like for the Philadelphia BIRT, and allow for greater exemptions for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

For these reasons, I will soon introduce legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to repeal the Uniformity Clase. This is an inevitable and necessary issue that must be confronted to consider tax policies that would finally provide tax fairness to Pennsylvania families.

It is critical that we support the backbone of Pennsylvania, its workers, while finding solutions to our deficit that will benefit all Pennsylvanians. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation.