“Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has led the way for the nation in natural gas production...This leadership is delivering for communities across the Commonwealth – cutting family budget expenses and bringing manufacturing jobs back. What is the benefit of the continued targeting of Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry through a counterproductive, punitive and anti-consumer policy? If enacted, this additional tax will discourage investments and risk the loss of revenues that have helped bolster communities and infrastructure in all 67 counties.”

“When combined with all of the other taxes this industry pays to the state, a severance tax would amount to a quadruple tax system on natural gas drilling, many of which are not assessed in other states. We are already burdened with the Corporate Net Income Tax, the Sales Tax and the Impact Tax. A severance tax would make a total of four, and would have a significant negative impact on the jobs and economic growth we are now experiencing.”

“Mercer County has used these (Act 13/impact fee) funds for bridge repairs, flood control, dam repairs, ADA accessibility at parks, etc... The consequences of an additional tax, I believe, will greatly reduce the chances of any more drilling in our area, causing harm to people that can least afford the hit right now, including our dairy farms, agriculture in general, manufacturing that has been helped by lower costs, and workers from local shut downs like the GM Lordstown plant where many of our residents were employed.”