New PA Tax Rebate Mocked On Social Media: 'More Gaslighting'

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvanians are having a field day with Gov. Josh Shapiro's new tax rebate plan, which was presented as a boon for "working families" but which has faced sharp criticism for being effete and out of touch.

The plan, named the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, provides a small rebate to some of the poorest Pennsylvanians living in extreme poverty. In a post on X promoting the plan as an impactful measure in a state wracked by income inequality and steadily rising costs, Shapiro described how "a grandmom who makes minimum wage and raises her grandchild (alone) could get $433 back."

That perspective was out of touch enough that responders seemed to question if the plan was satirical.

"Lol oh wow... less than $1k?! That's so amazing," a user posted.

"More gaslighting from him and his staff," said one.

"$433 for a grandmother raising a grandchild is a slap in the face amount," another said.

"Seriously? Read the room, ur ppl are struggling," another said. "And giving a few hundred dollars doesn’t compare to what is taken."

"If we taxed billionaires maybe the single mom with 3 kids making LESS than 25,000 a year could pay no taxes," wrote another. "How does a family of 4 live on 25,000 dollars a year? Give me a break."

See original story: 940K PA Residents Qualify For New Tax Credit: What To Know

In addition to facing criticism for not making a dent for the residents in extreme situations, the plan was excoriated for how few people it helped.

"What about the hard working people who make over $40,000 JOSH?!?!?" another asked.

"And seniors get what nothing you need to do away with property taxes for seniors. Don’t know who is posting all this stuff for you, but I doubt that you even read any of it," added another.

Shapiro's Threads post on the plan featured a reel of him posing and sitting on a bench and looking off into the distance, set to the opening riff of "I'll Be There For You."

"This sound is what it feels like knowing the budget I just signed is going to put up to $800 back in the pockets of PA seniors, parents, and families," the post relishes.

"is $800 going to cover people increased utility costs from data centers," a Threads user questioned.

"They are thrilled to give the low income, a WHOOPING 800 dollars... Throughout the year... What a Political JOKE," another added.

"How does it help seniors or citizens without young children," another asked. "Oh yeah, it doesn't."

The news comes as Shapiro faces mounting concern from both sides of the aisle over his backing of proposed data centers, and particular consternation from the left after pulling Pennsylvania out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative last week. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity has also emerged in recent days as a high profile Republican candidate planning on running against Shapiro in 2026.