So many Westmoreland County residents are more than ready to return to work. While we need to continue observing public health guidelines, we also need to make sure our leaders are putting smart policies in place.
These policies need to ensure that businesses will have access to reliable, affordable energy as they reopen their doors and welcome back employees and customers. Pennsylvania is fortunate to have the ability to produce its own natural gas, which will be a key driver in generating the growth we need on the road to recovery.
Despite the current circumstances, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a severance tax that would effectively tax the natural gas industry twice. The energy companies have been paying an impact tax to the state for the past eight years, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
The last thing our leaders should do is pass a severance tax. This tax could negatively impact our state’s ability to fully recover from the pandemic.
I am asking all Westmoreland County residents to reach out to your elected representatives and voice your opposition to the crippling Wolf severance tax.
Bob MacPherson
West Newton