Gov. Tom Wolf says he'll push for higher taxes on Pennsylvania's natural gas industry that are identical to West Virginia's to help boost aid to public schools.

Wolf, a Democrat, appeared Wednesday at Caln Elementary School in Thorndale, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, as he kicked off a statewide "Schools that Teach Tour."

Wolf wants a 5 percent severance tax on the value of the gas, plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet assessed on Marcellus Shale natural gas production to produce $1 billion a year and help wipe out cuts in public school aid under his predecessor, Republican Tom Corbett.

Wolf says the $1 billion would include a per-well fee approved under Corbett that sends money to local governments in drilling regions.

The industry opposes a tax increase.