Pa. legislators put fracking interests before citizens

Pennsylvania is the only state in the union that gives away its natural resources absolutely free of charge. Now, in an effort to resolve a major funding crisis, the proposed budget handed down by the Senate offers a token gas severance tax, way too little and way too late. In exchange for this affront to their gas company lobbyists, the Senate will guarantee automatic approval of any well permit application not processed within 45 days. In doing so, it absolves itself of the single most important function of government — that of justly balancing the interests of the public against the threat of capitalist exploitation.

The health and well-being of Western Pennsylvanians have been thrown under the bus yet again. Should we be surprised? Gas and oil companies have lined the pockets of our legislators with over $60 million since this fiasco began. Our lives have been sold down the line for a few cents each by those we entrusted with public service. Maryland and New York have frackable gas, too, but they are willing to be constrained by the interests of their citizens. It’s disgraceful that the government of Pennsylvania is not. LAURA EDWARDS

Edgewood select the “third party” under contract who will review their applications. This abdication of regulatory oversight “puts the fox in charge of the henhouse” and is a Faustian bargain with polluters that won’t increase revenue for the state. The severance tax on the “fracking” method of natural gas extraction that is also included in this bill (0.6 percent) is a small fraction (10 to 20 percent) of that imposed by nine other states and surely can’t compensate for the ill effects of increased pollution on our health, with an associated increase in health care costs.

I urge our state representatives to oppose the inclusion of these damaging provisions in the revenue bill, and I urge our citizens to contact their representatives about their concerns. MARY DAWN EDWARDS

Squirrel Hill

When I heard of the hurricane heading for Corpus Christi, Texas, last Saturday, my immediate thought was that God has lessons for us in this tragedy, starting with the fact that Corpus Christi means Body of Christ. I think this is significant as now both the body of others and Christ are so often put aside.

We can learn many lessons, observed in the past week, from this terrible tragedy to the people of Texas.

1. The best of us are helping others — police, firefighters, the National Guard, private citizens with boats, EMTs, etc. We need to thank them and respect them and join them.

2. Human life is so much more important than things — wallets and possessions — and status of who comes out on top.

3. The elderly are so valuable to us, as exhibited in the picture

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of those in nursing homes up to their waists in water and needing to be rescued. Someone made this picture viral, and the elderly were saved. The elderly have wisdom to give us.

4. It does not matter what party you are politically but only that we are Americans (not “black lives matter”or “white supremacists” or “Christians” or cop haters, etc.).

5. We have a caring president who went to Texas this week and is trying to help our country — if only he were not constantly obstructed by those who will not face up to losing an election.

6. It makes us realize God is in charge, not us.

I am hopeful that somehow this tragedy will make us all take a second look at what we value. Let’s hope that on the top of that list will be America and family and the blessings we all have to live here. MARY ROBSON

Lawrenceville