A bill introduced by a local lawmaker would address a proposal made by Pennsylvania’s governor to enter into environmental agreements.
State Senator Joe Pittman’s Senate Bill 950 would counter a recent announcement by Governor Tom Wolf that Pennsylvania would enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and impose a carbon tax.
Pittman spoke at a press conference Tuesday in Harrisburg.
“A unilateral attempt by the governor to implement such a tax without legislative approval simply should not occur. By advancing our legislation, we seek to ensure that our constitutional separation of powers remains intact. To be clear, I do not believe the governor has the authority to implement such a tax without our approval.”
Local Representative and chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Daryl Metcalfe has also expressed concern about this move through a recent letter he sent to the state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary.