Gas Tax-Newhouse Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Now eight months into Washington’s Cap and Trade gas tax, there is still no answer as to WHY those in agriculture are still paying this tax that they’re, as written into the law, exempt from.
I asked U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse what he’s hearing from his constituents…
NEWHOUSE … “I’ve been hearing loud and clear from people, even before the beginning of January when the law went into effect, about the potential, at that time, impact of higher prices. And now we’re realizing those high prices due to the cap-and-trade program that the state has implemented.”
After overtaking California for a month or so with the highest gas prices in the nation, Newhouse says the problem is now obvious …
NEWHOUSE … “Even the proponents of the tax are now saying, instead of the pennies they thought it would cost, and people wouldn’t even notice it, are now admitting that the goal of the program was to increase prices to force or encourage people to turn away from using fossil fuels.”
Newhouse says it’s costing millions …
NEWHOUSE … “And that’s having a huge impact on people in rural Washington, on the agricultural industry, you know, people in rural areas have to drive a long way to get places. The cost of fuel is a big part of the cost of everything that we buy.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on the costly gas tax agriculture should be exempt from.
