Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
The gas tax increase must stay out of the state budget
By Mary Lazich
Tuesday, Oct 2 2007, 08:21 PM
Governor Doyle has proposed an assessment on oil companies, essentially an increase in the gas tax. The non-partisan Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) reports that the Governor’s tax will amount to a five-cent increase in our state’s gas tax, already one of the highest gas taxes in the country, and it will be paid directly by consumers.
The WPRI correctly comes to the conclusion that oil companies will do less business in Wisconsin and do more business in states that don’t have the tax Wisconsin would have. The result could be a damaging reduction in oil supplies to Wisconsin leading to fuel shortages, not to mention higher prices.
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) has begun a television ad campaign to stop the gross receipts tax on the sale of petroleum products in Wisconsin. The ads urge viewers to call their Senators to oppose the tax hike, and commend Assembly Republicans for opposing the gas tax hike. The new gas tax passed the Senate (I voted against the gas tax increase) but was rejected in the Assembly earlier this year. Assembly GOP and Senate Democrat leaders continue to negotiate on the budget, and Democrats are insisting the gas tax increase be included in the budget.
Here is a link to the WMC news release that has a link to their TV ad.
The people of Wisconsin have spoken. They do not support Governor Doyle’s proposed tax on oil companies. An overwhelming majority of Wisconsin residents polled believe the tax will only be passed onto consumers in the form of higher gas prices.
The Madison-based Wood Communications Group conducted a statewide survey and found an astonishing 82 percent said the Governor’s tax on oil companies would result in an increase in prices at the pump.
The percentage is even higher for men ages 35-54 where 92 percent say consumers will suffer. Eighty-two percent of women ages 35-54 agree that consumers will end up paying higher gas prices.
It is clear that Wisconsinites do not like this idea and it should be eliminated from the state budget.
