The Pennsylvania Senate Republican budget plan is facing an uphill battle in the House.
Majority leader Jake Corman said doing nothing was not an option when he introduced the blueprint and narrowly got it passed in the Senate yesterday. The plan would tax gas drilling and utility bills but leaders in the House oppose any tax increases.
Meanwhile, gas drillers are not pleased with the spending legislation. The measure calls for imposing a severance tax on natural gas production.
The plan to balance the state budget projects about 100-million dollars in revenue per year from the severance tax. The Marcellus Shale Coalition industry group says the move will "erode the commonwealth's competitive advantage" and cost jobs.