Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle isn't all evil. Sometimes he even sides with Big Oil.
The Governor announced this week he is in favor of repealing the minimum markup law on gasoline. This may give added impetus to a bill sponsored by State Senator Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire) and State Representative Jeff Wood (R- Chippewa Falls). Unfortunately, as Michael Bie, spokesman for AAA Wisconsin, tells the Wisconsin State Journal, consumers could only expect to save about 1 cent to 2 cents a gallon.
But it is a start to understanding that government does contribute significantly to the cost of gasoline.
I'd be more impressed if the Governor and the Legislature would repeal the 32.9 cents/gallon tax on gasoline in this state. The tax, which automatically increases every year so the legislature doesn't have to go on record as supporting it, was created ostensibly for road repair and road building. In recent years both parties have been raiding the fund to go to "other budget priorities" with Governor Doyle taking the biggest grab.
The first budget priority of any level of government needs to be the taxpayer, and right now Wisconsin taxpayers are paying $.11 more per gallon of gas than our neighbors in Minnesota thanks to a tax without representation for an undefined purpose. Wisconsin voters have plenty of politicians to hold accountable, starting at the top.
