like refusing to tax natural tax extraction at rates of comparable states....Yeah, he didn’t want the unemployment rate to go down, just for EDUCATION, which has plenty of money (if they’d spend it right).
Sorry, but this is a fools argument, and trying to make it is EXACTLY why Corbett is in trouble.
Whether you agree with the argument or not, its a very simple one to be presented and understand.
PA charges no severence tax on natural gas drilling, PA is claiming shortages in its educational budgets, and making cuts, if a severence tax is implemented, as it has been in every gas producing state of any size, there is no budget shortfall.
Now, you may believe that there is enough money in education without a severence tax, but that’s not an argument that is likely to win many votes... and is dubious. There is little doubt PA has issues, but its largely due to benefits primarily retirement benefits given to teachers, which are made by individual school districts, not by state officials.
PA’s a slush fund for public employees, and has been for years, and everyone knows it, but no one will do anything about it.
However, the argument that PA should not tax natural gax extraction is hardly one that is going to win you any battles, and frankly its a millstone.
Yes yes, argue the ideological purity of your conservative point that all taxes are evil and kill jobs all you like, its a nonsensical argument. Would you call Alaska a bastion of liberalism? No? Why not? They get a tax and cut of ever gallon of oil pumped out of their state... DOn’t they know they are killing jobs by doing that?
The argument that PA must have no severence tax to remain competative in the energy market is a no win, and its frankly a stupid ideological argument that is going to help Corbett likely be the first Governor is PA history to lose re-election.