HARRISBURG — Here is what state legislators who represent Butler County say about Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed $33.8 billion state budget.

These comments were edited from their news releases.

Comments by the county’s state senators will appear in Thursday’s edition.

• Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th: “The governor’s proposed budget is a reckless surge in state government spending. His proposal to spend $4.7 billion more than last year, which includes increasing the personal income tax 21 percent and the sales tax by 10 percent, will hurt taxpayers and families across the commonwealth.

“This budget is a blatant display of Wolf’s leftist ideologies to redistribute the wealth of the hard-working taxpayers of this commonwealth to his public union friends and those who choose to live off the taxpayer’s dime, rather than find a job.”

• Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14th: “Governor Wolf today released a budget proposal that would authorize the government to tax and spend at an increase never before seen in Pennsylvania. His $33.8 billion spending plan would be funded through increased taxes on working families and businesses.

“Specifically, he is proposing a 21 percent increase to the personal income tax that will send job creators out of Pennsylvania and negatively impact working families. He is also calling for a 10 percent increase in the sales and use tax that would hurt small businesses and working and retired residents.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to actively engaging in negotiations to create a budget that meets the needs of our families by bringing job creators into Pennsylvania, not driving them out.”

• Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-60th: “It’s commonplace when starting a budget to, when encountering a budget one finds unpalatable, say ‘it’s a starting point ...’

“Not so with this one. He needs a comprehensive reboot. Try again.”

• Rep Tedd Nesbit, R-8th: “The governor presented a $33.8 billion plan that accounts for a 16 percent increase in spending over the current fiscal year and includes $4.7 billion in new and increased taxes, including additional levies on the sales and incomes taxes.

“With this being my first budget address, I listened intently as the governor gave his speech and outlined his priorities for the first year of his new term. However, I continually kept asking myself how he’s going to pay for it. And then I got my answer …. in the form of lots of tax increases on our working families.”

“This proposal is just that — a rough draft of a budget that will be changed many times. I’m sure there will be many conversations about how we can turn this plan into something more reasonable and workable for those who pay the bill.”

• Rep. Lee James, R-64th: “The governor’s plan would place a heavy burden on Pennsylvania taxpayers.”

“It took former-Gov. Ed Rendell — arguably one of the most liberal spending governors in Pennsylvania — eight years to increase state spending by approximately $8 billion. The current governor wants to increase state spending by nearly $5 billion in a single year.

“This is the start of a long and detailed negotiation process that will take place throughout the spring and into the summer.”

• Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-10th: “I’m encouraged by many of the ideas Governor Wolf put forward in his budget address today to move us beyond the trouble we currently face,

“Specifically, this budget calls for historic investments in education to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow.

“What does contribute to a healthy educational environment is the proposed $100 million in Pre-K Counts funding.

“It’s also healthy to support higher education, which this proposal does. By increasing funding to our community colleges by $15 million and our PASSHE universities by $45 million, we are investing in the future, which is something Pennsylvania sorely needs.

“Furthermore, it’s hard to find a Pennsylvania homeowner who doesn’t think their property taxes are too high, and Governor Wolf’s plan aims to deliver property tax relief of $3.8 billion, something that the General Assembly has tried to do for years.

“A tax cut for the average Pennsylvania family of about 13 percent is something that can be supported by both sides of the aisle.”