Harrisburg doubles earned income tax

(Harrisburg) -- Members of the Harrisburg City Council have voted to double the earned income tax, saying the alternative would be cutting essential services in Pennsylvania's capital.

Council voted 5-2 to approve the increase at its meeting Tuesday night.

President Wanda Williams says the increase is expected to generate another $5.1 million to stave off firefighter, police and other city employee layoffs.

The tax increase is the third in less than a year for residents of the city, which has been laboring under a massive $300 million debt tied to an incinerator renovation project.

The council adopted a property tax increase in December and the school district also increased its real estate tax rate last summer.