Letters: PA’s natural gas industry pays ‘fair share’; Slate for State stands up for needs of students

PA’s natural gas industry pays ‘fair share’

Certain politicians in Harrisburg are stirring the waters against the commonwealth’s natural gas industry – decrying that they aren’t paying their fair share and a new tax should be imposed, again.

What is a “fair share?” The truth of the matter is the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania is already taxed multiple times over. Not only are the companies subject to the state’s regular business and corporate taxes, but they are also responsible for paying an impact fee. Make no mistake, this “fee” is simply a tax by another name.

Unique to Pennsylvania, the revenues from the impact tax are given to every county across the state – regardless of whether drilling takes place there or not. Since the tax was enacted a decade ago, more than $2.5 billion has been generated to fund important state programs and local projects. Here in Centre County, local municipalities have used these tax revenues to fund critical road and bridge infrastructure, as well as public infrastructure projects.

We have a tax system that works – and that benefits communities in every corner of the commonwealth.

Slate for State stands up for needs of students

I fully support and have voted for by mail, the Slate for State candidates for the SCASD school board: Amy Bader, Gretchen Brandt, Anne Demo, Dan Kolbe and Aaron Miller.

Their combined experience in education, and with this board, make all five candidates highly qualified to serve our community. Their commitment to the three values of: 1. academic success for ALL, 2. trust and transparency, and 3. fiscal stewardship, brings clarity to their vision of continuing to support the excellence of our school district while understanding the challenge of meeting the needs of a wide diversity of students.

The teachers and counselors in our schools deserve support in the work they do to care for and educate our students. Building on the strong foundation of our school district is important and hard work for which this slate is prepared. Breaking down the trust we have in our schools is fear based and will result in further division and isolation of our vulnerable students.

We are fortunate to have these five outstanding people who are willing to stand up for the needs of our students and community and I encourage everyone to vote yes for the Slate for State for SCASD.

Advocating for affordable housing

Regarding my decision to run for the Recorder of Deeds in Centre County, my goal for this position was not to just be the office, but to also lead the office.

From knocking on many doors, regardless of political affiliation, blighted properties and affordable housing come up as issues the people want addressed.

The Recorder of Deeds’ office can collect fees associated with deeds to address blighted properties (Act 152) and fund affordable housing initiatives (Act 137). This is typically accomplished through a county ordinance, which Centre County is in great need of a revamped ordinance.

Centre County only collects $11.50 in affordable housing fees, none of which addresses blighted properties. Both Act 152 and Act 137 come from Republican led legislation that had strong bipartisan support to enable counties to be able to address these issues. Yet, Centre County is behind in these initiatives compared to many of our peers across the commonwealth.

Affordable housing is a major issue and I believe the county needs to expand the work it is doing, particularly when it comes to veteran housing, whether it is a first-time homebuyer, rental assistance, or home rehabilitation.

We have a way to make sure our veterans are taken care of, so let’s make it happen. I dare to dream, be bold, and to give a “hand up” to those that need it. My advocacy for affordable housing has been consistent, not convenient.

I’m asking for support and your vote by Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Experience matters in county treasurer race

Centre County residents have an important choice to make on Nov. 7. Who will be our next county treasurer? As consequential decisions go, this one is easy.

Do we want incumbent Colleen Kennedy, an accounting professional, with a degree in accounting (and a Masters of Education), plus nearly 20 years of accounting experience — or do we want a professional candidate, with no relevant education or experience, who has been running for office, unsuccessfully, for years?

When Justin Behrens lived in Luzerne County (where he still works) he ran for State Representative twice — and lost both times. The people who knew him best voted for his opponent.

When his wife took a job at Penn State in 2021, newcomer Justin Behrens ran unsuccessfully to represent Pennsylvania’s 82nd District. Paul Takac beat him by 10+ points.

Behrens’ announcement to run for Centre County Treasurer appeared in the Lock Haven Express and was riddled with errors. Of all jobs requiring attention to detail, county treasurer tops the list!

By contrast, Colleen Kennedy, who was elected County Treasurer in 2019, and has performed the job deftly, will work to expand on improvements she’s instituted since taking office: “I facilitated moving the employees’ retirement fund to a different institution, saving the county hundreds of thousands of dollars…And as interest rates rose, I moved county investments into safe, higher-yield instruments, which increased interest earnings by nearly 600%.”

The choice is obvious: Vote Nov. 7 to Keep Colleen Kennedy Centre County treasurer.