I'm not sure if anyone has posted this but there is a bill in Texas to cut the 20 cent per gallon gas tax in Texas. It will last for 90 days. The politians said that the high cost of gasoline is bankrupting families. :angry: IMO it's the short sideness of the politians and "average" consumer that's bankrupting the families. I would rather have my property tax decreased or my electric rate decreased.
The idea is intelluctually and fiscally bankrupt. Besides - Texas has no state income tax. They estimate each family with a car and truck saves $100 a summer, so the next state session(2009), Texas may lose a billion in revenue. Then the already Legislature that was farther right than when Pres Bush was Govenor will go farther right in a contest of who is the baddest budget hawk like they did in 2003. They will try to raise "sin taxes" more, along with college tutitions, pretend some services are "non-essential".... a cynical move by politicans to get votes by cutting taxes when it's easy to balance the budget, then they will over cut it when times may not be as good two years from now. So much for the touted "rugged individualism" in Texas - do everything you can before running to the government for relief! Meanwhile in Dallas, I see plenty of people going at least 75 in a 60 - are they really hurting on gas money? If they are, their driving suggests they are eager to get kicked at the pump, so why help them until then? It's pandering for votes.
Not to worry.... This "bill" has about the chance of the proverbial "Snowball in Hell" of passing the Texas Legislature. To me, it had a subtle flavor of subsidizing Enron and other refiners, so they could keep raking in humougeous profits and keep the retail price/gallon high. Then, there's the issue of confirming that the retail stations actually would pass the 20¢ 'savings' on at the pump.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ May 11 2007, 10:59 AM) [snapback]439975[/snapback]</div> Glad to hear it, I thought it would be a slam dunk, but glad to hear there are some reasonable minds on Congress Ave. My big beef was that they were going to take some of the windfall from Education. I'd appose it on those grounds alone. 11011011
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan. @ May 11 2007, 12:48 PM) [snapback]440068[/snapback]</div> If this bill passed the oil companies would immediatly raise the price of gasoline in Texas by the dropped tax amount. Which, is probably the idea behind the bill. A new way for our taxes to go directly to the oil companies.
Same type of bill is being presented in other states as well. What a ridiculous idea! Personally, I'd like to see a graduated increase (25 cents per per quarter) in gasoline taxes across the board until driving and buying habits finally change. Taxes should be earmarked for alt fuels development. Less money for oil companies, more money for energy R&D.
Let's see if I understand this. Gas prices are high because the demand is outstripping the supply. Global warming is permanently ruining the planet. Motorists drive unnecessarily large vehicles, way over the speed limit. The answer: lower the gas tax. It's no wonder we're in such a mess.
