Our Business Briefs are quick updates on what’s happening around the county. This morning:

New Report Compares Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Tax Revenue With Other States

According to a new report published last week by the Energy Information Administration, less than 1% of Pennsylvania’s tax receipts come from the extraction of oil and natural gas.

This state is the second-biggest natural gas producer in the U.S. but the tax revenue generated from this industry, at one percent, is woefully low compared to others such as Alaska’s 72 percent, North Dakota’s 54 percent.

Governor Tom Wolf’s insistence on a severance tax for natural gas production has led to a lengthy budget impasse that will enter its third month in September.

According to the EIA report, “the proposed 5 percent severance tax is estimated to generate up to $1 billion in tax receipts, this amount would still be less than 3 percent of the state’s total tax collections because of Pennsylvania’s reliance on other sources of tax revenues.”

The Owners of Coatesville Flower Shop Gave Away 10,000 Roses in Memory of Their Daughter

Every year, in a beautiful way of remembering their daughter, Dorrie and Greg DePedro, the owners of the Coatesville Flower Shop, honor her memory by giving away roses, her favorite flower, around the date of her death, creating an 11 year legacy.

Lisa DePedro died of lung cancer August 23, 2004. This year, the DePedro’s gave 10,000 roses out on Friday, August 21, when visitors to the flower shop could receive a dozen roses for free, as long as they only keep one, and give away the rest to friends, family or strangers.

The tradition stemmed from a conversation the DePedro’s had with their daughter after she was diagnosed. When told that many people in the community wanted to help but did not know what to do, Lisa replied, “tell them to do something nice for someone today in my name.”

Local Businesses Help Keep Youth at Risk Out of Jail

Getting their hands dirty, participants in Chester County’s Evening Reporting Center Program (ERC) got lessons in art, teamwork, horticulture and nutrition in the organic garden started by Victory Brewing at its new production compound in Parkesburg.

An initiative started by the Pocopson Township’s Chester County Youth Center, the ERC began with a two-year grant in 2010, and partners with schools, parents and families as well as other community service providers to offer an option for youths who otherwise could otherwise end up behind bars.

The ERC program also works with Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, a Coatesville-based expressive arts and wellness program that targets underserved youth and adults. Jan Michener, the AHHAH’s founder said that the “programs aim to stop the systematic school-to-prison pipeline.”

Sikorsky Wins Alternative Overbilling Claim

On August 20 a Federal Claims judge knocked down the U.S. Department of Defense’s alternative $34 million overbilling claims against Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

Judge Charles F. Lettow found that the claim was properly precluded by the helicopter manufacturer’s previously successful challenge in a related $80 million claim. He stated that the facts behind the $34 million claim are identical to the $80 million claim which was struck down first by the Federal Claims court and again in December by the Federal Circuit.

While one could admire the Federal Government for its persistence, bringing a near identical claim based on virtually the same facts seems to be a waste a money. It should also help clear the way for Lockheed, Sikorsky’s new owner, to start to get out from under the numerous pending lawsuits against Sikorsky that were factored into the final $9 billion sale price.