PA House Republicans Launch ‘Freedom Through Affordability’ Initiative to Cut Costs for Families

March 25, 2026

HARRISBURG—With Pennsylvanians facing rising costs on everyday essentials, House Republican policymakers today launched their “Freedom Through Affordability” initiative – a plan to deliver tax relief and lower costs to make Pennsylvania a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.

The initiative, unveiled at a Capitol press conference, includes a package of six-month tax cuts and sales tax holidays, a multi-billion-dollar relief effort, aimed at providing immediate relief to families and workers struggling under the weight of higher prices. 

Framing the effort, Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, emphasized the direct connection between affordability and opportunity.

“Our goal is simple: Make Pennsylvania a place where families can afford to live, work and build their future. When people can keep more of what they earn and the cost of everyday life is within reach, they have the freedom to make their own choices about their future. That’s what this effort is about – achieving freedom through affordability for people across the Commonwealth,” said Rowe.

At the center of the initiative are targeted proposals designed to provide immediate relief on some of the most pressing household expenses, including the suspension of key taxes for six months, directly reducing costs on essential services and daily expenses. 
Rowe is sponsoring legislation to reduce the state Personal Income Tax rate from 3.07% to 2.99% for six months. 

Reps. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), vice chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, and Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland) are co-sponsoring legislation to suspend the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity and telecommunications for six months.

Highlighting the impact on everyday families, Marcell pointed to the growing pressure households are facing.

"Everywhere I go in my community, people are looking for a break from rising costs, especially on the basics of life,” said Marcell. “This temporary tax holiday is a commonsense way to give them that break, save them some money and help make life just a little easier."
Davanzo underscored how energy costs ripple throughout the broader economy.

“The message from Pennsylvanians has never been louder or more clear: Energy costs are making their day-to-day unaffordable. Right here and now, we can give families a little bit of breathing room and help them stretch their budgets a little bit further,” Davanzo said. “Because energy costs factor into production, wholesale and retail costs on everyday products, this relief will be felt across the Commonwealth’s entire economy.”

Focusing on transportation, Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) emphasized the burden of fuel costs on working families in introducing legislation to suspend the state’s gas tax for six months.

“High fuel costs compound the financial strain Pennsylvanians already face due to inflation and ongoing cost-of-living increases,” Major said. “My legislation will provide temporary relief to make it easier to balance a family’s budget. I urge immediate action so there is more money in the pockets of our hardworking residents.”

Affordability Starts Here Tour
In addition to advancing immediate relief, lawmakers stressed the importance of continuing to hear directly from residents across the Commonwealth.

Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), deputy chair of the Policy Committee, announced the launch of the “Affordability Starts Here” tour, which will bring lawmakers across the Commonwealth to hear directly from families, workers and employers about what it takes to make life more affordable.

“As the Policy Committee’s Deputy Chair on affordability, I know how important this ‘Affordability Starts Here’ Tour of Pennsylvania is for so many families,” said Hogan. “Starting next week, we will make our first stop in Hanover for a hearing on how we can reduce the costs of child care and expand the tour to all sectors of our economy. Folks across our Commonwealth have great ideas and I’m looking forward to identifying and promoting more ways to make Pennsylvania more affordable for everyone.”

Hogan, a new father, joins Rep. KC Tomlinson (R-Bucks) in co-sponsoring six-month sales tax holidays on car seats as well as newborn/baby products. 

Additional members sponsoring affordability-related tax relief proposals include Reps. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield/Elk), Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union), Marla Brown (R- Lawrence), Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union), Ann Flood (R-Northampton), Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne/Susquehanna), Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Kate Klunk (R-York), Roman Kozak (R-Beaver), Thomas Kutz (R-Cumberland), Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny/Washington), Shelby Labs (R-Bucks), Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia), Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton), Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Brett Miller (R-Lancaster), Brenda Pugh (R-Luzerne), Brian Rasel (R-Westmoreland), Chad Reichard (R-Franklin), Michael Stender (R-Northumberland/Montour) and Parke Wentling (R-Mercer). Legislation is forthcoming. 

Affordability Starts Here Tour schedule:
   • March 30, Hanover: Making Child Care Affordable for Pennsylvania Families
   • April 7, Kingston: Reforming the Rain Tax to Make Pennsylvania More Affordable
   • April 30, Sewickley: Making Child Care Affordable for Pennsylvania Families 
   • May 8, Bradford: Care Close to Home: Expanding Access to Labor and Delivery in Pennsylvania
   • May 21, Reinholds: Making Housing More Affordable in Pennsylvania
   • May 26, Hawley: Making Housing More Affordable in Pennsylvania
   • May 27, Lebanon City: Making Housing More Affordable in Pennsylvania
   • More dates to be announced! 

For more information, visit policycommittee.com.



Representative David H. Rowe
85th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nancy Nilson
717.787.3443
nnilson@pahousegop.com