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August 17, 2011, 12:07 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing this morning to discuss issues stemming from Marcellus Shale Drilling. The committee heard from a professor at Penn State who discussed the impact of drilling on local governments. He particularly focused on a pair of studies regarding revenue changes to local governments from drilling activity. Advocates from Penn Future and 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania also testified on the need for protecting the common good of the commonwealth from the negative impacts of drilling.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.
July 22, 2011, 12:10 pm
Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne)
Following the release today of its final report, which includes 96 specific recommendations related to the drilling industry surrounding the Marcellus Shale, Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) said Gov. Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, failed to conduct an “honest conversation” about instituting a statewide severance tax or impact fee.
“Starting today, going forward…we’re going to get to work,” Sen. Yudichak remarked, saying a responsible impact fee is priority number one for the Senate in the Fall session.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
June 26, 2011, 5:03 pm
House and Senate Democratic leaders gathered outside of the Lieutenant Governor’s office today to call for a the passage of a proposed impact fee on Marcellus Shale natural gas extracts. The proposal, introduced by Senate Democratic leaders at a press conference last week, was supported by Democratic leaders in both chambers today who noted the time for the fee is now, especially since this is the third budget cycle in which this topic is being discussed.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.
June 22, 2011, 12:30 pm
Several members of the Senate Democratic Caucus held a press conference today to announce they will be introducing what they called a consensus natural gas impact fee amendment to SB 1100, the fiscal code, and any other budget bill in order to get an impact fee during this budget cycle. Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) indicated the amendment takes parts from impact fee and tax bills introduced by Republicans and Democrats and therefore represents a consensus viewpoint. Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) noted the fee will also help those in the Southeastern part of the commonwealth who are affected by natural gas through pipelines.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.
October 12, 2010, 12:13 pm
Governor Rendell publicly responded this morning following a meeting with Senate Republican leaders and their subsequent comments to the press on the state of negotiations on a severance tax bill. Joined by Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon), the governor identified two reasons progress on a compromise at this point appears to have “broken down.” He said the new compromise rate, which he alleged would generate significantly less revenue than his original proposal, remains a question mark for Senate Republicans. In addition the governor said a variety of procedural roadblocks have been highlighted by Republican leaders, but dismissed them as a “red herring.”
Speaker McCall reported that the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) has determined questions surrounding the single-subject constitutionality of the current severance tax bill, SB 1155, could be cleared up through a series of amendments. In addition he said LRB has identified two house bills currently in the Senate – HB 786 and 2235 – that could be modified and used as vehicles for severance tax language. Given these options, Governor Rendell and Speaker McCall insisted “a promise is a promise” and urged the Senate to halt what they characterized as delaying tactics, and move forward with
Continue reading Gov: severance tax negotiations have “broken down”
October 1, 2010, 2:10 pm
Governor Rendell held a press conference announcing the resignation of the Director of the Office of Homeland Security James Powers, effective October 8, 2010. Rendell noted the resignation was a voluntary act that was indicative of his 30 years of public service. In his remarks, the governor stated “he is a good man who made a very significant mistake in judgment.” Also discussed at the press conference were revenue numbers for the month of September, the House’s passage of a tax on Marcellus Shale extraction, and the City of Harrisburg seeking Act 47 protection.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.
September 29, 2010, 11:32 am
Calling the severance tax rate adopted by the House last night ” absolutely ridiculous,” Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) said today he has no intention of bringing the legislation up for a floor vote in the Senate in its present state. Though he indicated the amendment filed by Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) that adjusts the distribution of the severance tax proceeds improves the overall measure, Senator Scarnati nevertheless stated the bill as a whole raises “serious red flags.”
In particular Senator Scarnati questioned the constitutionality of the legislation as it is drafted, and said the tax rate in his opinion amounts to a punitive one against the drilling industry. Senator Scarnati said that while he stands ready to negotiate with House leaders on a compromise, it is clear at this point a Marcellus Shale severance tax will not be passed by the October 1 deadline that was agreed to as part of budget negotiations earlier in the year. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox for the full story.
September 13, 2010, 1:20 pm
More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers were joined by representatives of various environmental advocacy and conservation groups this afternoon to urge the legislature to follow through on the promise of Act 46 to enact by October1 a severance tax on natural gas extraction. Several legislators spoke of the need for the tax to ensure the environment and local governments are protected from the impacts of deep well natural gas extraction.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
September 1, 2010, 2:27 pm
Saying he is for a reasonable and competitive severance tax that funds DEP and the environmental clean up from Marcellus Shale drilling, Democratic Gubernatorial hopeful Dan Onorato laid out his Marcellus Shale severance tax policy in an East Wing press conference today. While citing now specific percentage for a tax, Onorato did point out several differences between his Marcellus Shale policy and that of Republican foe Tom Corbett. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
June 24, 2010, 2:23 pm
The Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center today released a new report calling into question the “stripper well” exemption found in the proposed severance tax legislation on natural gas extraction as well as a natural gas industry proposal for a tax exemption for the first three years of well production. According to the report, the enactment of the exemptions would mean only one-third of total gas production at a typical Marcellus Shale well would be subject to the severance tax and companies would pay the tax for only nine of the 40-year life of the well. House Finance Chairman David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) expressed his concern regarding additional exemptions from the tax. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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