Americans For Prosperity-NH: Tax Dollars are Not a Gift to the Government
WINDHAM – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) – New Hampshire today said that comments by Rep. David Campbell, sponsor of the plan to increase the state’s gas tax by 83%, demonstrate his commitment to big government and a major disregard for New Hampshire taxpayers.
“Tax dollars are not a gift to the government. Tax money generated in this state represents the hard work of NH families and businesses and for Rep. Campbell to refer to taxes raised as ‘bonus monies’ is egregious and insulting,” said Corey R. Lewandowski, State Director of Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire. “Rep. Campbell has put his focus on how he can spend the hard-earned money of the people paying the bills ahead of our working families who are struggling to deal with record high gas prices.”
Representative Campbell’s bill (HB 617) will raise the state tax on gasoline 83%. The bill will be up for a vote in the House on Wednesday. If passed, the bill would increase the state’s gas tax from $0.18/gallon, the lowest in New England, to $0.33/gallon, which would only trail Connecticut in the region. In advance of the vote, Representative Campbell wrote in an email that the tax represented “the gift that keeps on giving” and cautioned fellow Democrat lawmakers “Don’t spend it all in one place!”
“Representative Campbell’s comments show he views the people of this state as revenue generators – as a means to pay for his expanded and unnecessary government programs. We urge the House to oppose Representative Campbell’s view of our taxpayers and vote against HB 617,” added Lewandowski. “It’s time to put the needs of our citizens before the goal of expanding state government at all costs.”
Keith F Thompson
1:33 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Working families will save money under this plan. Currently, the average family is paying over $300 per vehicle per year in repairs and wear and tear on their cars due to the deferred maintanence of our roads, highways and bridges. In southern NH, it is actually over $500 per vehicle.
That is a real mpact on working families, too. Working families understand that paying a little more up front for a gas tax will lead to savings on repairs to their cars later.
So, if this represents a net savings for the average working family, who is AFP-NH really representing in their opposition to this tax?
One Man Wolf Pack
2:44 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Hogwash, how about spending all of the current gas tax on the roads instead of funneling it off somewhere else? Not even all of the gas tax hike is being slated JUST for road repair some of that is also being earmarked for things that ARE NOT road repairs....so explain that "up front" cost to me again if it is not being used as you are putting forward?
Apljak
3:38 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Keith,
I can't believe that you actually believe the BS you just wrote!
I don't see anyone paying these amounts for repairs due to deferred maintenance. They would pay for auto repairs on the most pristine of new roads given modern transportation habits and decrease in manufacturing quality!
I have a construction company that spends over $100K in fuel. It is my second highest cost after payroll. The increase in the cost of gas from 2008 to present has been shouldered partly in-house, but the lion's share is a burden to our clients vis a vis increased costs.
The same will happen for the taxes.
This is truly a tax on the hard working people of NH who are already struggling.
Seeing the government funding that was already issued to the State of NH for the 93 Project, you would think that they could have been a little smarter with the dollars that they have already received, as opposed to the current waste that is rampant in the legislature today!
Hilltopper
3:53 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Mr. Thompson,
If I were a betting man, I would bet that most vehicle repairs are due to the owner not following recommended vehicle preventive maintainence or misue by the owner vs.deferred maintaince of roads, highways and bridges regradless of location within the state. (Not counting Moose Zones up north)
I would be interseted in reading the source(s) of your claim---it sounds better than the current available fiction on Amazon or the local book stores
Celia Brown
5:46 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wow Keith....You've said quite enough..more than you know
Bob Samson
5:58 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Keiths analysis is so faulty I do not know what to say except give a grade of F.
Seamus Carty
12:24 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
My guess is that Keith F. Thompson takes the bus everywhere....