Jun. 10, 2022
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) took part in public hearings conducted by the House Majority Policy Committee this week at the state Capitol that examined the inflation crisis and its devastating impact on Pennsylvania families, communities and employers. Committee members heard from a variety of experts on the reasons for the alarming rise in the inflation rate and possible solutions.
“Inflation is out of control and crushing working families in Carbon County and statewide,” said Heffley. “These hearings are giving us a clear picture of the factors that have created the inflation crisis and some guidelines on what we can do as policy makers to bring some relief.”
Among the causes of inflation cited in testimony are the influx of printed and borrowed money injected into the economy by the federal government; overspending; policies that support large corporations over small businesses, like Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic shutdowns; and overregulation, including the attack on domestic energy that powers homes, vehicles and businesses.
Many experts testified that they anticipate inflation will continue well into next year and beyond, and ultimately will catch up to the state budget. As a result, lawmakers were urged to keep spending in check, invest in the Rainy Day Fund, remove regulatory barriers that hinder economic opportunity, and support policies that drive economic growth and that encourage able-bodied individuals to return to the workforce.
During Thursday’s hearing, Heffley questioned State Treasurer Stacy Garrity about the financial impact of Pennsylvania’s enrollment in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), advanced by the governor. Garrity and others testified that RGGI will significantly exacerbate the high cost of fuel already cutting deeply into household budgets.
To view or download a broadcast-quality video of Heffley exchange with Garrity,
click here.
Testimony and video of the hearings is available online at
PAGOPPolicy.com.
The committee will further examine the issue of inflation in the coming weeks with hearings studying the impact of inflation on working people and their families (June 14) and long-term solutions to rising costs (June 21). Both hearings will begin at 9 a.m. and be streamed live at
PAGOPPolicy.com.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717-260-6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com