Jon Ruth for PA House via The Wellsboro Gazette Id like to respond to this comment from Rep. Baker. Since he hasnt agreed to a debate (although Im still very willing!), Ill try to spend some time in the next few weeks responding to some of the things hes supported and legislated as state representative. Here, Mr. Baker is continuing to stoke fear with the idea that the impact fee will go away if we tax the gas companies. The impact fee (Act 13) was a deal with the gas companies (authored by Rep. Baker and others, and supported by Governor Corbett) to apply a minimal fee to drilling, but no tax. The amount of revenue the state receives from natural gas is a fraction of that in other states where natural gas drilling exists. It passed the House and Senate, as Mr. Baker states (although both had Republican majorities, and the gas companies are heavy contributors to the Republican party. Coincidence?) If a reasonable 5% severance tax were passed, as Tom Wolf and I support, the legislature would then decide where that revenue goes. It would be the job of our state representative to make sure that money comes back to our communities, and considering our legislative district produces most of our states gas, this is a reasonable thing! If I were elected, Id ONLY support a severance tax if our district, and our local communities, received at least as much money as they are receiving now for the impact fee. (AND, the state would also receive needed revenue to restore funding to education and other lost programs, while easing the burden on property taxes. We might even be able to lower the regressive gasoline tax too!) Rep. Baker is using this as an excuse to oppose a severance tax, when he knows very well that a severance tax will bring money into our communities AND also fill budget shortfalls at the state level, which will help taxpayers in Pennsylvania! It doesnt have to be either-or, it CAN be both-and!
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:50:46 +0000
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