NH GOP - Lynch's Failure of Leadership Continues: Let's Raise the Gas Tax

Concord, NH – Just days after experts predicted that gasoline will see “huge price increases in some places and a peak average price of $4.05 a gallon” by this spring, Governor John Lynch proved just how out of touch he is by announcing a plan to increase the gas tax.  Families across New Hampshire are struggling in a tough economic recovery, yet Gov. Lynch and New Hampshire Democrats want to force an additional burden onto their already cash-strapped budgets.

“New Hampshire families are already looking for ways to do more with less, so an additional tax increase will only make matters worse and dampen any economic recovery we might see,” said New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald.  “What’s worse is that a gas tax increase tends to hit low- and middle-class families the hardest because costs to heat their homes and drive to work already take up a larger share of their budget.”

“Department of Transportation officials said Tuesday that in order to keep up with the needs, the state needs to reinstate the $30 registration surcharge that was repealed last year, and increase both tolls and the gas tax.” (Garry Rayno, “State: Transportation Funds Inadequate for Current Need,” New Hampshire Union Leader, 2/15/2012)

Governor Lynch wrote a letter to the House Public Works Committee saying anything short of this plan would be “complacent.”  Yet, just last year even the Obama Administration came out in opposition to a gas tax increase because “people can little afford to buy a gallon of gasoline, let alone if we were to raise the tax on it.” (Link to Video)

“[L]ast week price trackers told USA Today to expect gasoline at $4 a gallon by this spring.  Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service told the newspaper that this spring will be chaotic, with huge price increases in some places and a peak average price of $4.05 a gallon.  Other analysts made similar predictions.” (Mark Hayward, “Granite State Gas Prices Heading to $4?” New Hampshire Union Leader, 2/13/2012)

NRSC - Action Alert: Reject the Mileage Tax

Thought $4.00 gas was bad enough? Just wait until the Obama Administration adds a mileage-tracking device to your vehicle... Imagine every time you pull into a gas station not only feeling the pain of the Democrats failed energy plan, but then having the Federal Government inspect your vehicle to administer a mileage tax?

Click here to send a letter to your Senator asking them to reject the mileage tax.

The worst part about their plan, it’s the middle class that feels the pain the most, with 9 percent of the average household budget eaten up by fuel costs.

But you know what, shame on us for being surprised… this was part of the plan all along.  Obama’s own energy secretary was quoted saying, “Somehow we need to figure out how to boost gasoline prices to the levels in Europe.” Gas is now $10 a gallon in Europe and the energy secretary says the entire Obama administration has been focused on this “plan.”

We are already seeing that plan put in motion, starting when President Obama a year ago placed a moratorium on offshore drilling. Here we are a year later, with $4 a gallon gas. But that hasn’t stopped Obama and Senate Democrats. Now they’re exploring another idea to boost the price at the pump: tax you for every mile you drive.

Please join us in sending a message to your Senator to reject the Democrat mileage tax.

Sincerely,

 Rob Jesmer



US Rep. Frank Guinta co-sponsors "Reduce Pain at the Pump Act" to push down gasoline prices

“It’s time to get the government out of the way, remove federal restrictions and start harvesting the oil we have right here at home.  We can’t afford to drag our feet any longer.”

(WASHINGTON – May 4, 2011)   With gasoline prices nearing record highs, and with the busy summer driving season just four weeks away, Congressman Frank Guinta (R, NH-01) is adding his name and support to legislation aimed at helping Granite State drivers. 

Guinta is an original co-sponsor of the “Reduce Pain at the Pump Act.”  The bill is scheduled to be formally submitted on Thursday.  It calls for simultaneous immediate action on three fronts.  First, it repeals President Obama’s “permatorium” on America’s Outer Continental Shelf resources and allows energy production to resume off the East and West Coasts, the Gulf Coast and in parts of Alaska.  It repeals the energy-restricting Bureau of Land Management lockup of western lands to allow energy production to begin there, including programs to accelerate production of oil shale and tar sands resources.  Finally, it provides immediate relief from EPA regulation and mandates that cause artificial price increases.

“People tell me every day that high gasoline prices are taking a serious bite out of their wallet,” Guinta said.  “Working families are hurting, and experts say gas prices will likely keep going up unless decisive action is taken, right now, by Washington.”

Guinta said the “Reduce Pain at the Pump Act” is the best tool for getting government out of the way and to let crews start tapping into more of America’s vast petroleum resources.   

“The pricing crisis that is causing so much financial hardship for so many Granite Staters boils down to the simple law of supply and demand,” Guinta said. “Demand drives up the price.  When you increase the supply, the price goes down.  It’s time to get the government out of the way, remove federal restrictions and start harvesting the oil we have right here at home.  We can’t afford to drag our feet any longer.”

This is the second important piece of energy legislation that Guinta has co-sponsored.  He is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 909, “A Roadmap for America’s Energy Future.”  It calls for the steps taken by the “Reduce Pain at the Pump Act.”

Sunacom.com - Odell: "Phone bombs are not the New Hampshire democratic way"

In his March 20, 2011 column on Sunacom.com, Senator Odell writes...

"Washington based American Tradition Partnership group telephoned 4,000 households in Senate district 8 last Monday." "...it looks like operatives of big money interests are trying to move one State Senator in their direction..." "...they need to show up in person so we can have a real conversation. That’s the democratic way. "Phone bombs" are not the New Hampshire democratic way."

"Money for highways is scarce. The gas tax we pay at the pump has not been increased since 1991." "Stimulus money from Washington helped us complete many projects over the past two years but that revenue stream has ended." "...proceeds from the unpopular registration surcharge have only been partially used for road projects." "The surcharge will end on June 30 unless the legislature reinstates it in the upcoming budget."

"... a reminder of my meeting Tuesday night, March 22, with state AFL-CIO leaders and local union members. The meeting will begin at 7 pm at the Earl M Bourdon Centre at 67 Maple Avenue in Claremont."

  http://sunacom.com/columnists/odell/odell_03-20-11.html

CEI Daily - The TSA, the Gas Tax, and Thanksgiving Food

TSA

The TSA is scrambling to assuage public fears about invasive new security measures in airports.

Research Associate Brian McGraw talks about private security alternatives to the TSA.

"Many free-marketeers have suggested the U.S. would benefit from returning to non-nationalized airport security. It certainly makes sense — after all, airlines stand to lose a lot of money if anything goes wrong on their planes. In a security game that involves keeping up with ever-changing terrorist threats (i.e., 10 years ago, we could wear shoes and not need to buy new contact solution every time we left town), I trust the profit-seekers over the government to find an appropriate balance between consumer demands for privacy and airline security."

Gas Tax The Fiscal Commission's draft report recommends a 15% increase in the federal gas tax.  Associate Fellow Ben Lieberman suggests an alternative to the tax increase. "No doubt, this proposed tax hike would raise revenues and make a modest dent in the deficit, but it would do so at the expense of the driving public and would disproportionately burden low-income motorists. There’s a better way. If raising energy-related revenues is the goal, why not fill federal coffers in a manner that actually reduces the price at the pump? Washington can accomplish this by allowing more oil drilling."

Thanksgiving Food

In The Huffington Post, Mindy Pennybacker warns people against using canned cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving.

Director of Risk and Environmental Policy Angela Logomasini points out that Pennybacker is basing her warning on paranoia about Bisphenol A, a chemical used in canned food.

"Let’s not forget why we use BPA: It has many benefits! This Thanksgiving, I am going to be happy that the cans my cranberry sauce came in were lined with a resin made with bisphenol-A because it greatly reduces the chance that those cranberries will have been contaminated with botulism or some other dangerous organisms.  It also keeps my food free from rust, which would otherwise detract from the fruit flavors."