PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: … Severance tax supporters, led by Mr. Wolf, argue that the state is not getting a fair fraction of the gas’s true value and it is missing out on a chance to boost funding for statewide priorities like public education. This year the governor proposed a severance tax that could exceed 5 percent of the value of gas and natural gas liquids from shale wells.
Republicans control the General Assembly, and their leaders — particularly in the House — have opposed the severance tax and other levy hikes proposed by the governor. As a result, there is no state budget, nearly a month after the statutory deadline.
In addition to millions of dollars in campaign contributions, the companies have deployed battalions of lobbyists… (more)
So the slate of Koch brothers “Republicans” running the legislature still dances to the tune their masters play. What a surprise.