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“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bradford, Lycoming, Susquehanna Top Receiving Counties for Impact Fees

2019 County, Municipal Fee Distribution Surpasses $48 Million for 23rd Senatorial District

My Senate District, consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties, will receive over $48 million in 2019 for natural gas impact fees paid during the 2018 calendar year.

According to figures released yesterday by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), the 23rd Senate District will receive $48,092,294.87 in unconventional gas well fee revenues generated during 2018.  These distributions account for roughly 19 percent of the total $251,830,900 received by the PUC, who is responsible for imposing, collecting and distributing impact fees.  This year’s distribution is approximately $7.9 million higher than last year.

The impact tax is working.  In fact, our state tax brings in more money than the severance taxes in Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio & West Virginia combined.  The benefit to my rural Senate district, and rural Pennsylvania as a whole, is immeasurable. 

Proceeds from the impact fees are distributed to counties and local governments, as well as state agencies, to provide for infrastructure upgrades, tax reductions, emergency services, environmental initiatives, housing, delivery of social services, judicial services and more.

I have received several inquiries as to how impact fee monies are being spent by each county/municipality.  Each government entity using money must submit an “Unconventional Gas Well Fund Usage Report to the PUC.  A county/municipality is also required to post that information on their website and/or post a paper copy in the county/municipal building.

Click here to view government spending by county/municipality.

23rd Senate District Fee(s):

Bradford County Disbursement:
County: $6,208,381.56
Municipal: $10,718,419.94
Total: $16,926,801.50

Lycoming County Disbursement:
County: $4,236,866.18
Municipal: $6,320,307.53
Total: $10,557,173.71

Sullivan County Disbursement:
County: $679,779.90
Municipal: $1,164,052.72
Total: $1,843,832.62

Susquehanna County Disbursement:
County: $7,184,542.26
Municipal: $11,579,944.78
Total: $18,764,487.04

Union County Disbursement:  $48,552.62

In addition to the revenue disbursement above, each county, including Union, will also be eligible for funding dedicated to the statewide share. Counties and municipalities will be able to apply for grants through the Environmental Stewardship Fund, for water and sewer projects through PennVEST and the H2O program and a variety of projects under the Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA).

Act 13, the law which amended Title 59 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, and was signed by Governor Corbett on February 14, 2012, provides for the imposition of an unconventional gas well fee on drillers operating in the state. Funds generated by the impact fee go directly for local and state purposes. The law also contains a mechanism as to how the fees shall be distributed.

Senator Yaw Votes for 2019-20 State Budget with No Tax Increase

The state Senate this week approved a Fiscal Year 2019-20 spending plan that includes no tax increases, provides funding for essential state services, strengthens the states agriculture industry, promotes workforce development, bolsters education spending, including career and technical education, and makes a substantial investment in the state Rainy Day Fund, according to Senator Gene Yaw (R-23).

House Bill 790, which spends nearly $34 billion, now goes to the Governor for enactment into law.

To read more, click here.

The budget also promotes workforce development and job training initiatives by:

• Increasing funding for Career and Technical Education by 7.6 percent ($7 million) from $92 million to $99 million.
• Increasing funding for Career and Technical Education Equipment Grants by 117.6 percent ($3 million) from $2.5 million to $5.5 million.
• Increasing funding by $4 million to both the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
• Increasing funding for New Choices/New Options by 50 percent ($250,000) from $500,000 to $750,000.

Supporting Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry

Sen. Yaw and Sen. Lisa Baker “Toast to Pennsylvania Agriculture” during a ceremony yesterday at the State Capitol

Senate and House Republican leaders highlighted a broad package of bills yesterday that will support Pennsylvania farmers and encourage new generations of farmers to continue the state’s rich agricultural heritage.

A number of the measures in the package were championed by Senate Republicans as part of the Farming First Initiative. Additional measures were advanced by House Republicans, and components of the governor’s PA Farm Bill are also included.

To read more, click here.

PennDOT and Safety Partners to Highlight June 27 Independence Day DUI Campaign

WHAT: PennDOT and safety partners remind motorists to not drive while impaired by drugs and alcohol during an Independence Day impaired-driving mobilization.

WHEN: June 27, 2019 through July 5, 2019

WHERE: 700 block of Route 15 southbound (Derr Drive), Lewisburg, PA 17837 & Gas Well Services, 4459 North Route 220 Highway, Linden, PA 17744 

Lewisburg, Honesdale Residents Appointed to PA Fish and Boat Commission 

Congratulations to Eric Hussar of Lewisburg and William Gibney of Honesdale who were both recently appointed to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Board of Commissioners.

Eric previously served on the Commission as Board President and represents the 5th District – Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga & Union.

William will serve as the District 7 Commissioner, representing Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne & Wyoming. 

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Independence Day Holiday

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2019 is available on the website by clicking on PennDOT Service Center Holiday Closings under the “Pressroom” link at the bottom of the page.

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