Conway leaders oppose natural gas tax increase
By The Associated Press
This article was published February 1, 2012 at 11:12 a.m.
- Comments (3)
- aAFont Size
CONWAY — Conway and Faulkner County leaders were traveling the state Wednesday to lobby against a proposed increase in the severance tax on natural gas that would pay for road improvements.
Conway Mayor Tab Townsell, county Judge Preston Scroggin and chamber of commerce representatives were scheduled to visit six cities to speak against the proposal. Arkansas Business reported that the group planned to make the 250-mile trip in a vehicle powered by compressed natural gas.
Natural gas is being drilled in the Fayetteville Shale, which extends into Faulkner County and other parts of north-central Arkansas.
Former natural gas executive Sheffield Nelson is gathering signatures to place on the November ballot a measure that would increase the tax to 7 percent. Wells are now taxed at between 1.25 percent and 5 percent of the value of the gas being severed from the land.
Nelson has said the measure is necessary because heavy equipment used by the gas companies has damaged Arkansas roads and highways.
The group planned stops in Conway, Searcy, Damascus, Morrilton, Russellville and Fort Smith.
Comments on: Conway leaders oppose natural gas tax increase
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.
You must login to make comments.
redriver says... February 1, 2012 at 1:50 p.m.
some people are determined to kill the golden goose - they have some downside without a doubt but what they've done for our economy in the Fayetteville Shale and the people has been great.
( permalink | suggest removal )
T6 says... February 1, 2012 at 2:23 p.m.
Like those companies that own those big trucks aren't paying their "fair share" already.
( permalink | suggest removal )
lazybar says... February 1, 2012 at 2:53 p.m.
t6 i usually agree with you but not this time.gas companies were fixing roads they tore up but when the gas tax was raised last time they stopped.not only did they stop fixing roads,they shut production of wells to a min and moved the drilling rigs to pa.last increase hurt our economy and another will only hurt it more.i now draw a royality check of 1/25th of what my checks were 3 years ago.when most of the drilling rigs moved my business showed a 20% drop and so did the rest of the area.
( permalink | suggest removal )
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.