Governor hikes shuttered trail to pitch $4.5B projects plan

JIM THORPE, Pa. (AP) — State officials say one of Pennsylvania's most beloved and scenic hiking trails will remain closed to the public unless lawmakers pass Gov. Tom Wolf's $4.5 billion infrastructure plan.

The Democratic governor hiked to the base of the Glen Onoko Falls Trail on Tuesday to make the case for his plan to impose a severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas production to finance billions of dollars in projects. Wolf has called for a severance tax every year he's been in office, but the GOP-controlled Legislature has so far rejected the idea.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission closed the trail May 1, saying it had become too dangerous. The closure outraged hikers and nature lovers.

State officials say they aren't able to re-open it without an infusion of cash.