Some Pennsylvania lawmakers want to raise the state’s hotel tax to help fill a $2.2 billion budget gap.
The proposal surfaced Tuesday in the House of Representatives. It would raise the tax from 6 percent to 11 percent and put Pennsylvania in the top 10 states in hotel taxes. Combined with local hotel taxes, the increase would give Philadelphia and Pittsburgh the nation’s first and second highest hotel taxes.
The governor isn’t saying if he’ll support the new proposal but his office said Tuesday night that a tax on Marcellus shale natural gas production is the most responsible source of recurring revenue to help balance the budget.
Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a $32 billion budget bill June 30, but haven’t agreed on how to fully fund it.
(AP)