Jan 10, 2015 2 min read

I’m not sure why Gov.-elect Tom Wolf feels it is legal or moral to infringe upon the rights of the residents of Pennsylvania.

As an owner of property in this state, I have the right to sell all or part of my property without paying taxes above and beyond any other resident of this state. I am interested in selling the gas that I own to a reputable company. I am fully prepared to pay the state, local and federal taxes that I will be required to pay, as on any other income. I should not have to pay an additional severance tax for the sale of my property.

I know Wolf says he wants to charge this tax to gas companies who are buying our product. I am sure that gas companies are not going to take such a loss. It will be deducted from the profit of the property owner who, by the way, owns this gas. How can he say that the entire state should benefit from the sale of my property? I don’t know of any other sale that involves an additional severance tax. If we sell our corn, or our hay, or our beef, all products of our property, the buyers are not required to pay a severance tax.

I think Wolf should take another look at what the gas companies are already doing for this state. They have brought hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs. They pay an impact fee to the townships where they are working to offset the inconvenience imposed on people who live in that township. They make donations for causes that benefit the people who live in that township. These are the people who should benefit from these sales.

Debra Swart

West Finley