When an article comes out on Tuesday telling me that something will occur on Wednesday, I generally assume that means the next day. However, apparently by “Wednesday” the State Journal meant a week from today. My sincere apologies, dear reader.
Anyhow, apparently Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Schofield) expects there to be some “lightening rod” amendments submitted by members of his own party. Of especial interest is the oil tax, which was put forth by the governor with a specific provision that would “bar oil companies from passing the tax on to the consumers.” I don’t quite understand how that would work, and apparently, neither does Mark Pocan (D-Madtown). Pocan seems to have brought the assembly back to reality by challenging the constitutionality of a plan that requires gas companies to keep their prices low. Is there not already differences, albeit generally slight, in the price of gas at competing companies? Are there not multiple factors that affect the price of gas, including supply, deman, trade barriers, natural disasters, the stock market, and who can forget, good old fashioned greed?
Unfortunately, many assembly Democrats will likely differ on the issue. Raising taxes on gas is anathema at any level of government, and gas prices are one of the hardest things to explain to a bitter electorate. However, hopefully policy can trump politics on this one. The revenues from the oil tax will be precious ($260 million), and the policy is good in the long-term. While a national carbon tax would be much more effective in promoting development of green technology, state level policies can effect change as well.
