Latta votes on bills opposing energy taxes

VW independent/submitted information

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) has joined his colleagues in passing two resolutions disapproving of proposals that would dramatically raise energy taxes on consumers.

The first bill, H.Con.Res. 112, expresses Congressional disapproval toward a $10 tax imposed on the sale of every barrel of oil. President Obama included this proposal in his annual budget earlier this year. Experts predict the tax would result in gas costing 24 cents per gallon more for consumers.

The second resolution, H.Con.Res. 89, expresses a sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the U.S. economy. A carbon tax is applied directly to the emission of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions. One study found that a $25 per ton tax on carbon dioxide would reduce the annual income of a family four by $1,900.

“With sluggish job growth and gas prices on the rise, now is the worst time for Washington to force families to pay more to fill up the tank or keep the lights on,” said Latta. “Today’s votes let it be known that these tax hikes are essentially dead-on-arrival in the current Congress. For us to grow our economy, we need to find ways to make energy more affordable for American families, not raise their taxes.”