The Ohio Oil & Gas Association is lobbying hard to keep state lawmakers from increasing the state's severance tax, which is applied to companies drilling for oil and gas.

State Representative Gary Scherer of Circleville, agrees with Governor John Kasich that some type of increase is in order.

State Senator Bob Peterson of Sabina, says while he understands the industry doesn't want to pay higher taxes for drilling here, he says the state "severance tax" is more than 100-years-old and needs revamped. He added that the legislature will not do anything that would kill the growing gas and oil industry in Ohio.

Governor Kasich has suggested the increase could help offset a decrease in state income taxes.