State Rep. Tom Murt will co-sponsor legislation to dedicate funding from a proposed drilling tax to education and human services.
Murt has lent his support to legislation that would impose a tax on the state’s Marcellus Shale and distribute those proceeds to statewide initiatives, including education.
Murt last week joined the bill sponsor, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, at a news conference. The bill would impose a 3.2-percent drilling tax, while also keeping the impact fee created by Act 13 of 2012 to help communities directly affected by drilling.
“The Marcellus Shale reserves have been a great boon to our economy,” Murt said. “Our state government has been patient as the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania has evolved and has grown strong and vibrant. It is now time that Pennsylvania join our neighboring states that already assess a reasonable tax on the extraction of natural gas. It’s time for the natural gas industry to pay their fair share.”
Under the current impact fee, each well is assessed a fee that declines over time for the first 15 years of operation. All unconventional wells drilled each year, no matter how much natural gas is produced, pay the same fee.
Under the legislation Murt supports, the drilling tax revenue will grow as the value of production grows.
“In addition, this legislation earmarks the revenues which will be generated by this tax,” Murt said. “The revenues will not be dumped into the black hole of Harrisburg’s budget. The revenue will be devoted to environment programs, education, and human services, namely helping those families caring for adults with disabilities.”
The tax would be set up in a way that, in the first year, 1 percent of the tax will equal $6 million, and grow to more than $9 million per percentage point by 2019–20 with continued modest growth in production.
That revenue would be distributed to the following priorities: basic education, 40 percent; pension obligations, 35 percent; human services, 15 percent; and environmental programs, 10 percent.
“It’s just a question of fairness,” Murt said.
Pennsylvania, now the second-largest producer of natural gas in the nation, is the only major gas-producing state that does not impose a drilling tax.
Meanwhile, Murt is sponsoring a poster contest for local school children to help raise awareness about bullying.
“Bullying remains one of the most challenging problems we face as parents and teachers,” Murt said. “By encouraging children to create posters that speak out against bullying, we’re helping them to think and act creatively in taking a stand against this unacceptable behavior.”
The contest is open to all third-grade students. The poster is to be no larger than 11.5 x 18.5 inches, and should include the student’s name, school and teacher on the back.
Submit posters to Murt’s Hatboro district office at 19 S. York Road. All entries are due by March 27.
The winner will receive lunch and a tour of the state Capitol with his or her family.
“I want to encourage all kids who take part to be innovative and make their posters colorful,” Murt said.
For more information, call Tom Konen at Murt’s office at 215–674–3755.
