While Governor Doyle tries to understand Economics 101: Supply and Demand, some members of the state legislature are looking at one of the ways government directly affects the price of gasoline: the automatic increase in the state gas tax every April 1st.
Spurred by "maverick" State Senator Tom Reynolds, a host of bloggers, talk radio, candidate for governor Scott Walker's proposal, and conservative pressure, the State Senate is considering today whether to end the automatic increase in the gas tax.
If the Senate votes to end the automatic increase, the matter goes to the Assembly, and should it pass there (iffy) there's a strong chance the governor will veto the bill, leaving the increase in the tax intact.
There are two main reasons why the Republican-controlled legislature should pass the bill and repeal the automatic increase.
One, on principle. It's not right that the legislature give up its responsibilities just to avoid taking an unpopular vote every budget. By avoiding the vote on the tax by having it automatically increase it every year, legislators can claim they're against higher taxes because they never have to vote on one.
Two, for political reasons. The governor has already (with the acquiesance of the legislature) raided the transportation fund the tax was supposed to support. The money ($427 million) has been spent instead as part of the general fund, so the governor has a vested interest in vetoing the bill. Should he veto the bill, he will be put on the record as being in favor of higher taxes - again.
Kevin at Lakeshore Laments has the likely supporters of the repeal and the latest in numbers. Jessica McBride has a nice cause-and-effect timeline.
It's not too late to contact your state legislator.
