By BOB SCOTT Guest Columnist If there’s one thing about which everyone in the Valley can agree, it’s that we all support clean air. Formerly the smog capital of the nation, we’ve come a long way in cleaning up the air we all breathe, and we need to take additional steps to continue in that direction. However, a November ballot measure to increase oil taxes is the wrong way to accomplish this agreeable goal. The Valley Industry & Commerce Association opposes this ballot measure along with a coalition that includes the California Chamber of Commerce and the Automobile Club of Southern California. At a time when gasoline prices already are high, this initiative would add billions more in taxes on oil production leading to higher gasoline prices. This tax will certainly lead to increases in travel costs for consumer goods, and will make it even more difficult for Californians in both public and private sectors truckers, school bus operators, airlines, commuters, and soccer moms. That just doesn’t make much sense. Furthermore, because higher taxes would discourage instate oil production, it would also increase our dependence on foreign oil. Moreover, the measure would create a whole new bureaucracy with the power to spend unlimited tax dollars without accountability or results. This new state agency would be run by more than 50 political appointees outside the normal state budget review process and outside the normal checks and balances that govern other agencies. VICA strongly believes that cleaner energy usage is the way of the future, but this initiative will merely siphon dollars out of consumers’ pockets and reduce our ability to compete in the world marketplace. We must find positive incentives to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and clean up our air. VICA believes that our state legislators can accomplish these priorities without creating a punitive and regressive tax burden for California businesses and residents. VICA is eager to participate in what will surely be a spirited debate on this important topic. Let’s work together to clean up our air and cut fuel consumption without punishing California consumers in the process.
