SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE Editorial: For years Pennsylvania politicians who shortchanged state residents on behalf of the natural gas industry argued against a fair extraction tax on grounds that it would spook the nascent industry into leaving the state.
The argument always was bogus. The gas was here in abundance, meaning that the industry would be here, too. Moreover, extraction taxes – known as severance taxes – are standard in gas-producing states.
Yet, in response to Democratic gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz’s proposal for a modest 5 percent severance tax, the Corbett administration trotted out the same worn excuse for refusing to adopt such a tax. Doing so, it claimed, would stifle gas development and job creation… (more)
EDITOR: Of all the bad things that Gov. Tom Corbett has done, this will prove to be the biggest cause of his not likely being re-elected. The electorate will hardly forgive his allowing the roads, the schools, the health care to suffer so that he can reward Marcellus Shale contributors for their donations to his election campaign.
I look forward to Ms. Schwartz running for office and the significant baggage she brings with her. I’m sure it will be a fun election, especially now that the newspapers carry much less influence.