Lower Bucks Today

Reps. Kathleen "K.C." Tomlinson, Joe Hogan, Thomas Kutz, and Kristin Marcell have introduced a legislative package aimed at exempting certain items from Pennsylvania's state sales tax. The focus is on products considered essential for daily life.

Kristin Marcell's proposal targets school supplies, aiming to expand current exemptions that apply only to purchases by school districts or nonprofit educational institutions. Her legislation seeks to include all purchasers in the exemption. "As inflation continues to hit every Pennsylvanian, we are seeing multiple key items for school-age children skyrocket in price," Marcell stated. She emphasized that exempting items like folders and graphing calculators could benefit parents financially.

Thomas Kutz is advocating for the exemption of cribs, crib mattresses, strollers, children's books, library books, children's toys, and youth sports equipment from the sales tax. He noted the financial pressures faced by families due to child care costs: "We can do more to make Pennsylvania the best place to live, work and raise a family by easing these financial burdens."

Joe Hogan's proposal includes exemptions for baby car seats and booster seats as well as baby bottles and teethers. These additions build on Act 25 of 2021 which exempted breastfeeding supplies from sales tax. Hogan shared his personal experiences with family expenses: "Providing financial relief from the sales tax will make it more affordable to raise a child."

K.C. Tomlinson proposed making all types of pet food exempt from sales tax. She expressed her motivation: "Making pet food exempt from the sales tax will limit some of the cost... Hopefully this may even encourage more Pennsylvania families to welcome a new pet into their lives."

The legislators believe these measures will help Pennsylvania families manage everyday expenses better.