Political Quotes

“My constituents understand this is election year politics and it is very expensive. Let me, if I might, quote from a letter I received from Henry Rosenberg, who happens to be the chairman and CEO of Crown Central Petroleum Corp., a producer and refiner of gasoline. Mr. Rosenberg states: I am writing to express opposition to the current proposal to reduce the Federal gasoline tax. The 4.3-cents-per-gallon tax, included in the 1993 budget, should remain as a deficit cutting measure. Long-term damage to U.S. economy, caused by repeal of the tax, would far outweigh any short-term gain to the consuming public. The rationale advanced by the sponsors of this legislation is that the motoring public needs help because of the recent increases in gasoline prices. Well, there are two problems with that. First, as has already been pointed out, the gasoline tax has nothing to do with the recent increase in gasoline prices. In fact, we have seen in recent years a decline in gasoline prices. The second problem is that the consumer will not get the benefit of the 4.3-cent gasoline tax cut. Economists before the Committee on Ways and Means indicated that it will not be passed through. This is only a 7-month repeal. It comes right back after the elections.”