A new burden on American families
Mark Green
Posted May 19, 2009
Recently, the administration sent Congress a budget proposal that included at least $400 billion in new taxes and fees on the oil and natural gas industry--a plan that will put an economic burden on hard-working Americans and their families.
Raising taxes in a time of economic decline is a recipe for disaster. These taxes are anti-jobs, anti-consumer, and anti-energy. They would be felt throughout the economy. Historically, new taxes have discouraged business expansion and job creation, and have led to higher costs for consumers--taking money from American households.
Higher taxes also would depress investment in new domestic oil and natural gas projects and hurt the six million American workers supported by the industry.
We need to get our nation on the road to economic recovery, and new taxes make that task substantially harder. The oil and natural gas industry should be encouraged to develop our nation's vast energy resources. An ICF International study found that allowing development in areas that had been off-limits in the U.S. for decades would improve America's energy security, create thousands of jobs, and provide federal, state and local governments with more than $1.7 trillion in new revenues.
Take action. Tell the administration and Congress that American families and businesses can not afford higher taxes--via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more. And for more information on the administration's tax proposal, watch the video below to see what Americans nationwide think of higher energy taxes.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.