Tom Wolf’s Tax Hikes Would Hurt Pennsylvania Businesses

Democrat governors talk a big game on jobs, but continue to support anti-business policies. Pennsylvania’s Democrat Governor Tom Wolf is no stranger to this mantra. Wolf is now pushing a new tax hike on gas drillers in Pennsylvania, but many are warning that his plan could negatively impact business development across the state. The Meadville Tribune reports:

“As Gov. Tom Wolf lobbies to get the Legislature to increase the tax paid by gas drillers, critics warn his plan could jeopardize impact fee dollars that have been used in large and small ways across the state.

State agencies got about 10 percent of the $174 million in drilling impact fees paid last year. Local counties and communities, where drilling occurs, got 60 percent of the remaining $156.6 million. The rest went into the Marcellus Legacy Fund, a pot of money that helps pay for a wide variety of projects, including water and sewer, stream restoration, and recreation.

“For instance, over the years that pot provided close to $600,000 in funding for the Anthracite Adventure Outdoor Area in Northumberland County. It provided $175,000 for the Sharon Riverfront Park in Mercer County. Another $2.75 million went toward the cost sewer work in Hornerstown, Cambria County.”

Tom Wolf’s obsession with hiking taxes on businesses in his state will only weaken the ability of developers and job creators to strengthen Pennsylvania’s struggling economy.