PA is only state with natural gas industry that does not tax it

[JPZenger]

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/05/natural_gas_tax_would_reduce_b.html

[PADEMJES12]

1. lets keep it that way... business friendly state.

[MH1]

2. You mean polluter-friendly?

The tax should be set so as to not create a disadvantage with other states, but to supply revenue for related activities such as pollution monitoring, accident mitigation, and so forth. Any revenue from the tax that is above needed for directly related activities, should be applied to other environmental protection activities, or as a rebate to PA residents. (it could be kind of like the socialist oil fund that Alaska has, you know?)

[PADEMJES12]

3. not having the tax is an advantage

i could care less about other states disadvantage. Is the DEP, etc lacking funds for pollution monitoring?
Are they understaffed? Polluter friendly implies that the DEP and others arent doing their job or are not capable. Thats an entirely different concern. These are all fair questions, but this like many other taxes would have its main purpose directed and weakened by legislators in Harrisburg.

One thing i do not like is politicians who sit around and think up new ways to tax people. No pun intended. As for the rebate idea, if u dont put anything into it, why should u get a free hand out? The rebates should go to the owners of the resources. If the state wants to share its profits from tax and or royalties on state property... it would surprise me. An aside, you and i know members of the aisle on both sides probably already have that money split up w visions of sugar plums which would make your good intentions moot.

[Cosmocat]

4. That is pretty bizarre ...

taxing "people?"

No one is talking about "taxing people ..."

That you have put forward that lie shows the weakness of your position ...

This is also not something being manufactured or a service ...

It is a resource ...

The natural gas that is being pulled out of the state is ALL of our resources ... This is one instance where the state has an obligation to ensure the residents of the state are compensated for an entity taking advantage of its natural resources ...

It defies any reason whatsoever to not have a tax on it ... Of all the things that might be taxed, THIS should be taxed ... Criminy - see Alaska, home to some of the biggest wingnut republican pols on the planet, and oil tax ...