Pennsylvania has serious fiscal issues, but PSATS is concerned many see a severance tax as the so-lution to all of the state's problems.

Local impacts, environmental protection, pensions, public safety, human services and education funding all lay claim to these potential dollars.

Meanwhile, Act 13 requires that, if enacted, a severance tax would eliminate the local natural gas impact fee.

Since 2011, this funding has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars to townships and other municipalities for transportation, public safety, the environment, flood control, water and sewer systems, and recreational facilities.

PSATS is very concerned about the loss of these local impact fee revenues, which are invaluable to our townships and their taxpayers.

The natural gas industry has helped and should continue to help communities that have been affected by drilling and the costs associated with this economic development opportunity.

That said, Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal represents a first step in the dialogue, and PSATS is committed to ensuring any plan doesn't change the distribution model for municipalities currently receiving impact fee revenues.

We commend Wolf's commitment to this position as evidenced in his policy statement to the Legislature, where he said:

"My proposal would continue the payments made to communities impacted by drilling that are currently funded by the impact fee."

We look forward to working with the Legislature and the governor to preserve this valuable community resource that helps to keep local property taxes down.

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Editor's Note: David M. Sanko is executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.