The Brian Griffiths Minute: 5-4-2008

Of course not, that would be helpful

It's not liked anybody expected the O'Malley Administration to do anything to benefit taxpayers, but still:

With gas prices continuing to reach new heights, the part of the cost controlled by federal and state governments is coming under increasing scrutiny as some politicians lobby for a break during the summer driving season.

Officials in Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, however, caution that any reduction in gas tax revenue - which is dedicated solely to transportation spending - would hurt the government's ability to maintain roads.

"It might be a 'penny wise' and a 'pound foolish' at this point, especially since we've seen chronic underfunding of our transportation system," said Rick Abbruzzese, the governor's press secretary.

No, because god forbid the taxpayers of Maryland actually get a break after the Democrats pillaged them time and time again over the last few months. What's even more absurd is that Rick Abbruzzese actually talked about the chronic underfunding of transportation when the O'Malley Administration raided the Transportation Trust Fund to cover the excesses of their profligate spending!

Maryland taxpayers need a break, even if it is a largely symbolic break on state gas taxes. The fact that O'Malley and Maryland Democrats refuse to take even such a minor step to benefit the citizens of Maryland shows the kind of contempt these people hold taxpayers in: you are an ATM to benefit their pet projects, enrich their cronies, and keep them in office, and nothing more.

Running on Fumes

Apparently, Congressional Democrats have drank the O'Malleynomic Kool-Aid, because they have decided to raise gas prices by taxing gas companies:

The House approved $18 billion in new taxes on the largest oil companies yesterday as Democrats cited record oil prices and rising gasoline costs in a time of economic troubles.

The money collected over 10 years would provide tax breaks for wind, solar and other alternative energy sources and for energy conservation. The legislation, approved 236-182, would cost the five largest oil companies an average of $1.8 billion a year over that period, according an analysis by the House Ways and Means Committee. Those companies earned $123 billion last year.

Anybody who thinks that these prices will not be passed on to consumers is also deluding themselves. But I find it very odd that Congressional Democrats would consider legislation to raise taxes on American working and middle-class families during an already existing economic downturn...