Suspend the Gas Tax
Mark Taylor has called on Gov. Sonny Perdue to suspend the state gas tax in Georgia.
Yes, it’s because he is running for Governor himself. Still.
Perdue has raised the gas tax three times since taking office. Georgia used to pride itself on having the 2nd lowest gas tax in the nation. Now it’s the 20th highest gas tax in the nation, up 45% since Gov. Perdue took office. When he brags about the budget, notice where the money came from – and where it’s not going.
Ask Gov. Perdue to suspend the gas tax today!
While you’re at it, take a quick look at the cheapest gas in your area. You’ll need it.
(Action sponsored by the Democratic Party of Georgia)
If you’re not in Georgia, contact your own governor to request the same.
With all due respect, we part company on this one.
Given our dependence on foreign (particularly Middle Eastern) oil, the exacerbation of global warming, and the seeming lack of real concern on the part of Americans for the GIs dying in Iraq, I’d do the exact opposite-I’d hike the tax until it covered the Chimperor’s glorious war’s costs. The tax would have the effect of getting Joe and Jane SUV interested in doing something besides putting a yellow magnet on his or her car, fuel efficiency would suddenly become concern #1 in Detroit, and perhaps we can slow down the monster that’s going to eat us.
We might even begin to discuss things like feasible mass transit again.
I agree with you in spirit, Jolly Roger. However, the oil companies are on government welfare at a time when they are making record profits. There isn’t any reason why there would also be recurring state tax gas hikes except for greed riding greed. Meanwhile, essential services here have been cut, including education (my pet peeve).
The bottom line is this: Anyone who needs to drive (and in Atlanta, that’s pretty much everyone, since as you say mass transit is disfunctional) is paying even more. It’s not just the gas guzzlers, it’s everyone. Most people have to commute to work and/or school.
The prices, which include additional gas taxes, also affect the distribution networks so that everything is more and more expensive – food, everything.
I don’t share your optimism on any abrupt turnaround for Joe and Jane SUV. They can afford the increased costs. But what about the rest of us?