The Presidential Papers and production activity, and the vital role independent oil and natural gas producers play in providing the energy our country needs now and for many years in the future. OIPA will continue to remain vigilant for our industry, pushing back against unfair laws and unreasonable regulatory policies while raising the awareness of our industry as a whole. No other industry Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association GARY E. SLAGEL Government Affairs Specialist Steptoe & Johnson Canonsburg, Pa. FROM THE CHAIRMAN Election Day 2014 marked the first time a Pennsylvania governor had been denied re-election in the 46 years since the state began allowing its chief executive to seek a second term. Although Governor-elect Tom Wolf campaigned for a 5 percent severance tax on unconventional natural gas production, the election was has had a greater impact on this state and nation's economic health than the oil and gas industry, and our association has demonstrated the power our united voice can carry. Ì not so much an endorsement of Wolf's platform, but was more of a backlash against outgoing Governor Tom Corbett. Corbett was characterized as anti-education and viewed by many as unable to accomplish anything meaningful during his four years in office. Nevertheless, the governor was a strong supporter of unconventional gas development who recognized the industry's value to the commonwealth. He also understood that piling a severance tax atop the 3 percent impact fee and other taxes that Pennsylvania businesses already pay would harm the industry's growth. But as the new Democratic governor attempts to rally legislative support for a production tax and other ways to boost revenue, the elections also strengthened JANUARY 2015 203