HARRISBURG — A bill imposing a tax on natural gas extraction that's poised for approval by the state House of Representatives is being called seriously flawed by a top senator.

Senate President Joe Scarnati said today that the bill imposes a tax rate that is too high to pass his chamber.

The Jefferson County Republican also says the bill would send too much tax revenue to the state treasury and not enough to communities where drilling is happening.

Scarnati added that some procedural maneuvers that the House used to move the bill along might be unconstitutional.

Time is running out for the House and Senate to pass a Marcellus Shale tax. After today, the Senate has three scheduled voting days the rest of the year.