On the final Thursday of July, the state Senate passed a $32 billion revenue plan by a 26-24 vote that transcended party lines. The package awaits action by the State house.

The bill includes new taxes and existing rate increases including a natural gas extraction tax, higher taxes imposed on gas and electric bills, an expansion of gambling in the state and a green light to borrow against future tobacco settlements.

The extraction tax, along with other taxes and fees targeting the energy industry, have business leaders in the state concerned. Energy Association of Pennsylvania president Terry Fitzpatrick sees these taxes being passed on to Pennsylvanians, telling The Sentinel "It really doesn't make sense to try to solve this problem by raising consumers' energy costs."

Mark Chasse of the Industrial Energy Consumers of Pennsylvania worries this package will stymie growth, saying "This tax would provide a second thought into reinvesting."

Friday's Smart Talk includes discussion of the revenue package with David Taylor, president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturer's Association, who told PennLive "This is about Pennsylvania's future, and whether or not we're going to sacrifice it on the high altar of one year's state budget."

Also joining Smart Talk are Sam Denisco, Vice President of Government Affairs with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and State Representative Greg Vitali. Vitali is concerned about the influence the energy industry has in lobbying for a favorable tax position

Later, Smart Talk will discuss bicycle safety. Two cyclists were injured last month in South Londonderry Township, Lebanon County when the driver of an SUV drove into a pack of riders. Former State Representative and current Executive Director of the Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition Pat Krebs and Sharyn Kocevar of the Bicycle South Central Pennsylvania Steering Committee will discuss efforts to bring awareness to the cyclists who share the roads.