Gas taxes hurt working poor and families
Gas prices are at an all time high with no relief in sight and the Minnesota House decided that we need to add another $.10 in gas taxes to the mix. Their reasoning is that we need more money to build new roads and fund mass transit. While I understand their budgetary need, I would like them to stop and think about how their actions adversely affect the rest of us – especially the working poor who are just barely able to afford to get to work as it is now.
Because of increased gas prices, bus fares will go up. For those that are fortunate enough to have a car, the added $2-$3 a week (depending on how far they have to drive to their job) is money that they don’t have to buy things their family really needs – like milk for their kids. For those that buy goods that are shipped into the state, expect the costs of those goods to go up as shipping companies are going to pass these additional costs on to retailers, who in turn pass them on to consumers! This does not even include the increases in registration fees for vehicles.
“Real wages” for the average hourly worker in the US actually FELL in 2004 (after adjusting for inflation) according to the US Dept of Labor statistics. Workers can not go to their employers and DEMAND an increase in pay in order to cover their budgetary “shortfalls”. Why should the MN House be any different? If roads need to be worked on, prioritize that needs to be done based on what is in the budget Do we really need more mass transit right now? If not, we should not be spending the money for it. These are the same real budgetary questions that working families have to ask themselves every month. Until the economic recovery is complete, the state should not be punishing struggling citizens by raising taxes on a product that is already too expensive for many to afford as it is.
posted by The Lady Logician at 9:56 PM permalink
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