Last month, Congress voted on a resolution that stated a carbon tax would be detrimental to the economy. The resolution was supported by nearly all House Republicans. A carbon tax would raise gas and electricity costs for all consumers and have little environmental impact.
I applaud Rep. Bruce Poliquin for opposing a carbon tax and opposing increased government bureaucracy and anti-business policies that would be a disaster for Maine’s economy. I would urge all other members of Maine’s congressional delegation to do the same, and specifically not to support recent legislation by Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Florida, that would replace the federal gas tax with a carbon tax.
Even supporters of the carbon tax bill acknowledge it would hike gas prices and increase energy expenses for American families in 2020.
The expressed purpose of a carbon tax is to raise prices on all kinds of energy that Maine families, farmers, truckers and businesses rely on every day. Maine’s economy is growing and businesses are investing again. Why risk growth by introducing new taxes on businesses?
Rep. Poliquin is right in his opposition to a carbon tax and noted in a letter last month that a carbon tax is regressive and would adversely impact the most vulnerable, including, “the young, the poor, the elderly and those living on fixed incomes.”
Congress should continue working on policies that grow businesses and reduce burdens on Maine families. A carbon tax does just the opposite.
State Sen. Garrett Mason, Lisbon Falls
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.
-
Lewiston-Auburn
Photos: Maple syrup ‘season is starting right on time’
-
Crime
Woman indicted on felony murder charges for shooting in Winthrop
-
News
Rumford-based team seeing results from pilot program on substance abuse
-
Maine
Skowhegan paper mill ‘strongly disputes’ lawsuit alleging fault for contaminating water wells
-
Franklin
Farmington Walmart evacuated after false bomb threat