
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – The top Republican in the Pennsylvania Senate has rolled out his long-awaited proposal to impose fees on natural gas drillers in the state’s Marcellus Shale region.
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State Senate president pro tem Joe Scarnati says because it’s a fee and not a tax, and does not provide for exemptions or deductions, it would actually raise more money than the natural gas extraction tax considered last year by the GOP.
On a conference call today with reporters, Scarnati (right) said he’s tried to craft a bill that will fit the governor’s no-tax parameters — but also said this:
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Scarnati’s proposal would designate revenue for counties and local municipalities impacted by drilling, for state conservation districts, and for roads and environmental clean-up. Scarnati says he’d like to see counties and municipalities get 60 percent of the revenue pie.
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