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FEBRUARY 6, 2012 | Feature by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Memo on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee "Deal"
Memo from Matthew Brouillette to Pennsylvania General Assembly on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee "Deal."
DECEMBER 22, 2011 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Why Gov. Corbett Didn't Get His Christmas Wish List
For Christmas this year, Gov. Tom Corbett hoped the legislature would gift wrap three things he could tie a bow on: An education reform package that included school vouchers, state liquor store privatization and legislation addressing gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
NOVEMBER 16, 2011 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE
Gas Drilling for Pennsylvania's Farms, Family and Future
Across Pennsylvania, natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale has benefited not just companies but also human beings -- by creating tens of thousands of jobs, rescuing families from foreclosure, and generating fortunes and sustainable prosperity for farmers, workers and small-business owners.
Recent Blog Posts
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Senate Votes on Natural Gas Tax (HB1950)
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1950 Conference Committee Report by a 31-19 margin with 26 Republicans and 5 Democrats FOR it and 4 Republicans and 15 Democrats AGAINST it.
| Alloway (R) | Y | Kasunic (D) | Y | Washington (D) | N |
| Argall (R) | Y | Kitchen (D) | N | Waugh (R) | Y |
| Baker, L (R) | N | Leach (D) | N | White, D (R) | Y |
| Blake (D) | N | McIlhinney (R) | Y | White, M (R) | Y |
| Boscola (D) | N | Mensch (R) | Y | Williams (D) | Y |
| Brewster (D) | N | Orie (R) | N | Wozniak (D) | Y |
| Browne (R) | Y | Piccola (R) | Y | Yaw (R) | Y |
| Brubaker (R) | Y | Pileggi (R) | Y | Yudichak (D) | N |
| Corman (R) | Y | Pippy (R) | Y | ||
| Costa (D) | N | Rafferty (R) | Y | ||
| Dinniman (D) | N | Robbins (R) | Y | ||
| Earll (R) | Y | Scarnati (R) | Y | ||
| Eichelberger (R) | N | Schwank (D) | N | ||
| Erickson (R) | Y | Smucker (R) | Y | ||
| Farnese (D) | N | Solobay (D) | Y | ||
| Ferlo (D) | N | Stack (D) | N | ||
| Folmer (R) | Y | Tartaglione (D) | N | ||
| Fontana (D) | N | Tomlinson (R) | Y | ||
| Gordner (R) | Y | Vance (R) | N | ||
| Greenleaf (R) | Y | Vogel (R) | Y | ||
| Hughes (D) | Y | Ward (R) | Y |
posted by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION | 01:18 PM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Don't Feed the Sharks!
Many Republicans, who once opposed raising taxes, are justifying their anticipated vote to increase taxes on the natural gas industry (it's not a FEE to pay for uncompensated costs...something we support) by claiming that if they don't vote for this now, the tax will only get worse.
We heard this before when Republicans helped Ed Rendell pass a 10% increase in the Personal Income Tax in 2003. How'd that work for them? They ended up passing even more taxes in the following years!
So, Don't Feed the Sharks! The tax will never be enough. The idea you are "getting it done" is wrong. You won't be done at all as the tax-eaters will be back again next year looking for another increase!
Take, for example, the following taxes that were supposed to "get it done" but have only skyrocketed!
- The state Sales & Use Tax first appeared in 1954 at the rate of 1%, but increased by 500% over the next 14 years to its current rate of 6%.
- Lawmakers then added the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax in 1968, as consumers started complaining about increases in the sales tax, then doubled its rate over the next 14 years.
- Policymakers added the Personal Income Tax in 1971 at the rate of 2.3%, which has increased 35% since then, to its current rate of 3.07%.
- State government also implemented the Inheritance Tax in 1971 which began taxing the estates of the recently deceased.
- In 2002, the state began taxing cell phone use for the first time under the Gross Receipts Tax and increased the Cigarette Tax by over 300%.
- In 2009, Governor Rendell got yet another increase of the Cigarette Tax.
Don't Feed the Sharks!
posted by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE | 01:15 PM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 7, 2012
Stop the Job-Killing Marcellus Tax!!!
A job-killing Marcellus Shale tax is being rammed through the legislature right now! With great speed and little transparency, House Bill 1950 was turned into a job-killing tax, littered with corporate welfare and handouts.
See our video discussing the tax
Corporate welfare highlights in the bill:
- $6.3 million to Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener) through fee; then in 2013, it redirects $20 million from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund -- otherwise dedicated for state parks and forests.
- Growing Greener has been use to subsidize solar and wind projects, and even advocacy groups like PennFuture.
- Growing Greener has been use to subsidize solar and wind projects, and even advocacy groups like PennFuture.
- More than $11 million over three years to bribe the Shell cracker plant to the state.
- Nearly $20 million over three years for natural gas vehicle development.
- $1 million for rail freight assistance.
- Beautification project grants, via Commonwealth Financing Authority!
posted by KATRINA CURRIE | 00:55 PM | 0 comment
