In previous years, Harrisburg has been notorious for gridlock and bi-partisanship. But last Tuesday, Feb. 6, in a budget proposal speech for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf called on politicians to come together.

In his 2018 budget address, Wolf hailed the progress the Commonwealth had achieved during his tenure thus far, including an expanded response to the opioid crisis, reform to the liquor system and legalizing the sale of medical marijuana.

“Now, it has always been, and will always be, my preference to work with the legislature,” said Wolf, according to a transcript of his speech. “When we’ve found ways to do that, we’ve been able to get a lot done for the people of Pennsylvania.”

The bulk of Wolf’s speech detailed the importance, according to Wolf, of allocating resources to invest in education and creating jobs. In reference to the latter, Wolf talked about past actions like getting rid of “burdensome taxes” and “red tape” that make it harder for small businesses, providing easier access of state services to business owners and investing in repair projects.

But the number one item on Wolf’s budget proposal for this year—for a plan totaling $33.2 billion—is implementing a new severance tax.

Because Pennsylvania is abundant in job-fueling natural gas production, Wolf proposed a tax—paid by people mostly outside of the commonwealth, he said—to use the resources. The proceeds would go toward roads, schools and other government initiatives.

But local legislators in Greene County—where many natural gas companies employ people to do their drilling—have conflicting reactions to Wolf’s idea.

Camera Bartolotta, R-46, state senator from District 46, released a statement in which she lauded Wolf’s determination to avoid tax hikes, but disagreed with the severance tax plan. Because of taxes already placed on the natural gas industry, Bartolotta fears that additional fees will discourage businesses to invest in Pennsylvania.

“Heaping more taxes on the natural gas industry – taxes that will undoubtedly only lead to fewer jobs in local communities and fewer private dollars flowing into the state – is the wrong approach,” said Bartolotta.

State Representative Pam Snyder also expressed hesitation about the severance tax—a measure she has voted against several times in the past. For such a monumental decision, Snyder said Republicans and Democrats would have to “come together.” Despite her qualms, Snyder said this is something that needs to happen.

“I believe with every fiber of my being that we have an obligation to pass the budget on time,” she said. “And we have not been doing that for the past couple of years…That needs to end so we can do what is right for the people of Pennsylvania.”

Also in the category of natural gas interests, Wolf proposed funding for 35 new positions at the Department of Environmental Protection and streamlining the process for permit applications.

According to a recorded news conference available on YouTube, Wolf wants the DEP to reduce wait time and backlogs – to help protect both the environment and the natural gas companies that the economy relies upon.

“We want to protect our environment, and the way you do that is not by dragging kyour feet,” he said.

Snyder said Wolf’s budget proposal had many other aspects that would support communities and the economy.

“He talked about funding for schools, making some key investments to protect our job growth, work force development, investing on our STEM programs—which we need—and continued investment on our law enforcement,” said Snyder.

In her statement, Bartolotta was less hopeful. She was pleased that the budget proposal was “more modest” than in previous years, but felt that Wolf had left out several factors.

“While it is reassuring that his proposal includes increases in funding for career and technical training, as well as basic education, early childhood and special education, I do have serious concerns with other important line items that were completely zeroed out,” said Bartolotta. “The Governor’s proposal struck vital funding for ALS support services and behavioral health support for our veterans. Several important line-items for agriculture research and education programs were also completely eliminated which support the livestock and dairy industry across the Commonwealth.”

The budget must be approved by June 30; for Snyder, that is the most important aspect.

“I just want to see us get a budget done on time,” Snyder said. “I hope the four lead teams in the House and Senate go to work and get it done.”