Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson issued an order Monday dated June 5 delaying a decision in a lawsuit brought by the PA Environmental Defense Fund over the use of DCNR Oil and Gas Fund monies until after the FY 2014-15 saying if the Court issued a ruling before the budget was finalized it would “run afoul of the principle of separation of powers.”

The Judge further explained, “although this Court may determine whether challenged legislative enactments are lawful, there is no place carved out in our constitution for the Court to rule on the legality of budget proposals.”

The Court ordered the PA Environmental Defense Fund to to file a request for a status conference after the budget is finalized saying it would schedule the conference as expeditiously as possible.

A copy of the Court’s order is available online.

NewsClips:

Polls Show PA Not Solidly Behind Drilling Tax

Budget Talks Heating Up Severance Tax Debate

Report: Gas Drillers Can Afford A Severance Tax

Report: Loopholes, Tax Incentives Lets Drillers Pay Less In Taxes

Severance Tax?, Maybe Top House Republican Says

Rendell Urges Severance Tax To Pay For Early Education

Chester, Montgomery Counties Receive Impact Fees

Drilling Impact Fee Dollars On The Rise

Op-Ed: Lawmakers Need A Drilling Impact Fee With Real Impact

Op-Ed: Stop Leasing State Land For Gas Drilling

Letter: Vitali’s Criticism Of State Forest Leasing Off-Base

DEP Increases Gas Well Permit Fees

DEP Raises Permit Fees For Shale Gas Drillers

Corbett Hints He’ll Hold Up Budget Over Pensions

Scarnati Says Budget Deadline Is Dog Years Away

6/16/2014