To tax or not to tax? That is the question. From (D)Rendell to (R)Corbett, the debate on whether or not to impose a tax or severance fee is still raging. In early 2009, Rendell had proposed a severance tax as a way to provide affected communities with the revenue to support needed changes and improvements that drilling may bring. Current Governor Corbett states that drilling companies have already paid their dues in full.
We would really like to know what our readers think about this debate. Are there economic benefits to be had? Voice your virtual opinion in our comments section!
Read the full article, ‘Fracking’ Fees Buoy Some States, by Paul Burton of The Bond Buyer.
I don’t know what Corbett is thinking about when he says the gas companies have paid their taxes in full because we are the only gas producing state without a tax. He just has to answer to his campaign contributors- his REAL bosses- not the taxpayer. We are using taxpayers money to pay the DEP inspectors because the well permit fees don’t cover the DEP’s expenses. We are using taxpayers money to fix the roads because they don’t have to get 2 and 3 digit SR’s bonded. And we are using taxpayers money to police and follow up on legal paperwork when they use township roads. I think Mr. Corbett needs to bring his head out of the sand and get some air for his oxygen deprived brain!
Responding to Tim Brady’s post, “We are using taxpayers money to pay the DEP inspectors because the well permit fees don’t cover the DEP’s expenses”, what supports this statement (source please).
Also, isn’t that a failure of the DEP to set permit fee pricing to cover this expense? Regarding SR (state route?) road bonding, is this required by trucking companies? If not, why single out this industry in particular?