Letters to the Editor March 12, 2010

Published: March 12, 2010

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A new tax?

EDITOR: During the time I started composing my letter, Elwyn Monahan wrote an excellent letter to the editor containing some of the same concepts that were swirling around in my brain. But as the educators say, we need repetition to get the point across and get people thinking. So here goes.

Why does it matter what landowners are receiving in "gas money?" They've paid real estate taxes on their land for years and are paying various taxes on income from that "gas money" as it is.

The "bone" taxpayers are being offered is lower real estate taxes. Oh, wait! Haven't we heard that before? How about no real estate taxes in exchange for a new tax?

Now, think. Does personal income tax mean only gas leases and royalties? What other income will be included? Voters should stay informed before agreeing to another way to be taxed. One tax may be lowered for a few years to appease the taxpayers, but will it increase when another emergency arises in the school district?

Voters, be sure to look under the surface. In my opinion, there's more than oil and gas under the surface of personal income tax.

Elaine Silverstrim

Durell

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6 posted comments

TTR, Many of them inherited the land from their ancestors. Somewhere back along the line somebody's hard work made money and they invested their money in land. Not a bad idea, because they're not making any more of that commodity. The whole county sits on shale gas, and if your ancestors didn't have the sense to acquire some land it seems petty of you to condemn those who did. Somebody has been paying the taxes on that land all these years, and they deserve whatever they can make from it now. Sounds like you've got a mouthful of sour grapes to me.
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not a landowner,  03/14/10 8:19
What did the people who own land in the Marcellus Shale do to earn their new found riches? Certainly hard work and education did not bring about this wealth. Rather through dumb luck they happened to own property where shale gas can be extracted. They should pay all costs associated with drilling in the region.
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TimeToReassess,  03/14/10 12:52
I do think some of these people have to understand that it does cost money to pay DEP and all these officials to keep things safe here too. I mean who is supposed to pay for that? Is that supposed to come from the regular money from people who aren't getting anything from the gas benefits? I think the gas should at least pay for itself in as far as what it costs to maintain an effective way of keeping things safe for everyone, and also our roads and all the other "issues" that seem to come up on a daily basis.
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Gas concerns,  03/12/10 6:32
Dividends, and Interest, any other Income will be taxed, just like on your Federal and State Tax return. With NO deductions.

To Roy B. What if you only own the surface and someone else owns the mineral rights?

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Ben Dare,  03/12/10 10:07
Dividends, and Interest, any other Income will be taxed, just like on your Federal and State Tax return. With NO deductions.

To Roy B. What if you only own the surface and someone else owns the mineral rights?

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Ben Dare,  03/12/10 9:26
Having gas on your land makes it worth more, so your property tax goes up. Simple.
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Roy B.,  03/12/10 6:27