HARRISBURG -- A day after Gov. Tom Corbett came out with a plan for Marcellus Shale oversight, two House Republicans say they remain committed to getting a vote on their severance tax proposal.

Reps. Gene DiGirolamo and Tom Murt, both of southeastern Pennsylvania, were joined by those from a variety of advocacy groups this morning to urge support for a 4.9 percent levy on natural gas.

They described that assessment, which would raise several hundred million dollars more than the governor's proposal, as a fair rate that should be part of fall discussions.

"We think this drilling tax is right for the state of Pennsylvania and for all its citizens to benefit," said Mr. DiGirolamo at the morning news conference.

Under their proposal, an estimated $362 million raised next fiscal year would be distributed for more than a dozen uses, including local government impacts, environmental projects, grants to school districts, economic development, affordable housing, and incentivizing natural gas use.

Despite the governor's insistence that he will not approve a tax on natural gas extraction, Mr. DiGirolamo said he's optimistic that the proposal can get a vote this fall.

Other versions of a fee are expected to begin moving through the state Senate later this month.