Rendell can't force session on gas tax
Share with others:
HARRISBURG -- A frustrated Gov. Ed Rendell wants General Assembly leaders to return here for a special meeting Monday, the Columbus Day holiday, to negotiate details of a new severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas.
But he'll have to go ahead without the participation of one important group -- Republican leaders who control the state Senate, who say they won't be available until Tuesday.
On Friday, Mr. Rendell wrote to legislative leaders, calling the special meeting and accusing them of "shirking their duty and breaking their promise" to enact a shale gas severance tax by Oct. 1. When the 2010-11 state budget was adopted in early July, Mr. Rendell and legislators agreed to enact a severance tax by Oct. 1, but wide differences in approaches have kept a tax from happening.
"It's essential that we honor that commitment," the governor said.
Senate Republicans said no time will be lost if they meet with the governor Tuesday, when they'll be back for regular session, rather than coming in on the holiday. Republicans said they've been working for weeks to try to fashion a tax agreement, meeting with legislative Democrats, gas industry officials, local governments where shale drilling is occurring and outdoor groups worried about environmental damage from drilling.
"We have continued to work in good faith, with the goal of passing legislation to include a severance tax," the GOP said in a statement Friday.
If some legislative leaders choose not to meet with him Monday, Mr. Rendell conceded he can't force them to do so. But he did say, "I will make it clear to the people that the Legislature is shirking its duty."
Rendell aide Gary Tuma said Monday's meeting will proceed with or without the Senate GOP leaders. Some officials of the natural gas drilling industry have also been invited.
First Published October 9, 2010 12:00 am
