Rapp Says Wolf’s Tax Hikes Could Put Region’s Over-Regulated Natural Gas Producers Out of Business
HARRISBURG — Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) issued the following statement today regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2016-17 state budget proposal:
“Apparently the governor has learned nothing from last year’s budget debacle. While there is just as many examples of unsustainable spending and unaffordable tax increases not to like in his latest $33.29 billion spending proposal, what I find the most troubling for the hard-working taxpayers in my legislative district is Wolf’s doubled-down efforts to impose a 6.5 percent natural gas extraction tax.
“Last week, the state’s so-called independent Environmental Quality Board approved a new set of overreaching, one-size-fits-all drilling regulations that could spell the end for many independent oil and natural gas producers that have been safely operating in our region as far back as 1859, and tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs. Again, the question that this governor finally needs to answer is how much in taxes is enough?
“People are already being laid off and many businesses associated with this home-grown industry are failing, yet the governor still insists that a punitive natural gas extraction tax can somehow breathe new life and generate increased revenue for our public schools.
Watch Rep. Rapp’s comments following today’s state budget address:
https://youtu.be/z1e3UDkecRk
“In the larger picture, the people of Warren, Crawford and Forest counties have spoken loud and clear. They do not want, and the vast majority cannot afford, the $2.7 billion in tax increases that Wolf wants to force on their already stressed personal budgets.
“To achieve a balanced, fiscally responsible state budget that adequately funds public education and other core government functions, both the governor and the Legislature must work together. Good-faith negotiations are essential to this process – not relentless, deep-pocketed partisan attacks against Republican lawmakers who are standing firm against Wolf’s massive tax hikes.”
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Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
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