Larry Pressler: “We must repeal the gas tax. It is hurting farmers, truckers, tourists, airlines. It seems that every time Washington…”

“We must repeal the gas tax. It is hurting farmers, truckers, tourists, airlines. It seems that every time Washington wants to solve a problem it passes an additional tax. But we can actually get more revenue into the Federal Treasury by restraining certain types of taxes on production. For example, in my State of South Dakota, if we could repeal the gas tax and make sure it went to consumers, we would be in the position that our truckers would be better off who haul agricultural commodities to markets. It costs us about 50 cents a bushel to move our agricultural commodities to market. Our airlines would be better off, especially with the tourism season. Tourism is our No. 2 industry in South Dakota. I have in my hand an article from today's USA Today, Friday, May 3, ``Rising Jet Fuel Tab May Lead to Fare Hikes.'' If there are fare hikes, they will perhaps be the highest in perhaps some of the nonhub airports. That will hit at the heart of South Dakota's tourism season.”