Last month we reported that Governor Paterson has proposed a 3% tax on royalties from gas. Now we learn what he plans to do with that money. He’s planning to add 35 jobs to the State payrolls, apparently to ensure the safety of our health and environment from drilling operations. As reported in The Press & Sun Bulletin:

New York is budgeting for 35 new positions in the next fiscal year to help oversee production of the Marcellus Shale, if and when it gets there.

While political and regulatory uncertainty clouds the fate of Marcellus production north of Pennsylvania, the staffing proposals are a sign that Gov. David Paterson’s office is preparing.

“If drilling moves forward, we have the infrastructure in place to do it in a safe and responsible way,” said Morgan Hook, a spokesman for the governor.

The staffing initiative would add 29 workers to the Department of Environmental Conservation, four to the Department of Health, and two to the Public Service Commission.


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