Carbon tax isn't helpful

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