A third of the revenue would go to the state's general fund, a third to the Growing Greener environmental program, and a third to local governments dealing with the impact of drilling.
The proposal faces long odds. Harrisburg failed to enact a gas tax last year despite a written pledge by the leaders of the House and Senate, and in spite of a Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled House who favored it. Now, the General Assembly is controlled by Republicans, most of whom oppose the tax.
Republican Corbett also opposes a gas tax, and he vowed during his campaign not to raise any taxes. The gas industry, betting heavily on him, donated more than $835,000 to his campaign.
But a tax on natural-gas producers is the right thing to do. The drillers are profiting enormously from a natural resource; they should compensate the state's taxpayers and affected communities by paying the same kind of fee they pay in other states.
With the state facing a deficit of more than $4 billion, Corbett and the legislature have a duty to explore sensible ways to raise more revenue. Before they propose cuts to education, senior services, health insurance for low-income residents, child care, and other needed programs, they should ask big oil and gas companies to accept greater responsibility.
Imposing a tax on drillers will not drive away the jobs. The gas deposits are here, and the tax is already imposed by other states. Pennsylvania also has the advantage to drillers of being close to major East Coast markets, lowering transportation costs.
"I don't think we need to create a corporate welfare state for the oil and gas industry," said Rep. Margo Davidson (D., Del.), He's right. No reasonable person would blame Corbett for retreating from his anti-tax position in this circumstance. In fact, a recent poll shows a majority of Pennsylvanians support a gas tax.
