The PA Republican State Committee met on Saturday, September 25, 2010.  Eric Matthews, Republican Chairman of  Bradford County,  proposed a resolution regarding the gas severance tax.  He followed procedure and submitted it in the time frame needed.  The PA Republican Resolutions Committee decided to table the resolution until the next meeting in February 2011; the tax vote is taking place  OCTOBER 1, 2010.  When the resolutions committee decided to sit there and do nothing, several people approached their caucuses and held discussions or passed the resolution in their caucus; which was then decided to be brought up under new business in the Republican Committee Meeting.  When it came time for new business, Chairman Gleason would NOT allow new business and adjourned the meeting.  The Republican State Committee members are elected to represent the voters, not Rob Gleason!  It looks like the Republican Party is not going to represent the voters on this important issue.  Now is the time to make your voice heard.  Call your senator opposing a gas severance tax!  http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/senators_alpha.cfm

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Below is the resolution that was passed in the Northeast caucus of the Republican State Committee Saturday September 25, 2010

RESOLUTION OPPOSING ANY PROPOSED NATURAL GAS SEVERANCE TAX BILL

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Senate of Pennsylvania has pledged to introduce a natural gas severance tax bill on or before October 1, 2010; and

WHEREAS, along with a proposed severance tax, this bill may contain new regulations regarding many aspects of this industry, including new rules for a provision called I/pooling” that could be used to force landowners, under certain conditions, to lease their subsurface oil, gas, and mineral estates, and

WHEREAS, a natural gas severance tax may have a far reaching negative economic impact on the prosperity of all Pennsylvanians, and forced pooling that will infringe upon rights of Pennsylvania landowners; and

WHEREAS, the Republican State Committee has a long tradition of articulating policies to bolster Pennsylvania’s economy by reforming state government, building a pro-growth business environment, and pledging no new taxes;

THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, That we, the Members of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, do hereby express our grave concerns regarding any proposed natural gas severance tax bill that will hinder Pennsylvania’s leadership in national energy independence, state economic prosperity, and infringe upon the ownership rights of our fellow Pennsylvanians; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we, the Members of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, do hereby strongly call upon the Senate of Pennsylvania to demonstrate leadership by supporting the principles and policies to rebuild Pennsylvania, by opposing any proposed natural gas severance tax bill that will hinder Pennsylvania’s leadership in national energy independence, state economic prosperity, and infringe upon the ownership rights of our fellow Pennsylvanians.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Eric P. Matthews
Chairman Bradford County Republican Committee