May 31, 2008 NewsletterIn this issue:Gas Tax Holiday: May be Tempting, but Ultimately Bad Public Policy8th CD DFL Endorses Jim for Another Term in the House Jim's Summer Schedule Candidate Spotlight: Jim Godfrey, MN 17A Gas Tax Holiday: May be Tempting, but Ultimately Bad Public PolicyThere has been much ado this campaign season over the issue of suspending the 18.4-cent Federal gas tax due to ever-rising fuel prices; both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have come out in favor of suspending the tax during peak summer months. While it may seem tempting, the truth is that this proposal is not only an ineffective solution to the gas crisis, it is also dangerously short-sighted, blowing a 12.5 billion dollar hole into the Highway Trust Fund and pushing it to the brink of insolvency. Our Highway Trust Fund is the money we have to build and repair our nation’s highways and bridges, and the recipient of over 99% of the revenue from the Federal gas tax. The fund brings good-paying construction jobs to every state in the country, and suspending the gas tax would also suspend approximately 300,000 of those family-wage construction jobs. Highway safety funding would also be cut without gas tax revenue. Moreover, there’s no proof that suspending the gas tax would have a significant impact on the price of gas. Leading economists have confirmed the proposal would provide little relief to consumers, and there’s nothing stopping oil companies from raising the price of gas and eliminating any benefit drivers might see. Make no doubt, the price of gas is astronomical and voters are rightly frustrated when they see record profits consistently reported by oil companies while consumers are left paying more and more each time they fill their tanks. But the problem with high gas prices is unrelated to the gas tax: the tax has remained at 18.4 cents since 1993, while the price of gas has increased three-fold since then. We have an automobile- and oil-dependent economy with too little diversification in other modes of transportation, all while the emerging world economies in China and India are demanding more of a share of global oil supplies. A short-term reduction in gas prices is not going to solve what has become a fundamental vulnerability in our country’s infrastructure and overall economy. Now, more than ever, it is time to address that vulnerability and invest in alternative energy sources and means of more efficient transportation to deal with the rising cost of gas, rather than disinvesting even further in our infrastructure. The gas tax suspension proposal would be an unfortunate disinvestment and put into jeopardy the safety and efficacy of one of our nation’s most fundamental public resources. 8th Congressional District Endorses Jim for Another Term in the HouseDuring their weekend convention on May 3rd and 4th, the 8th Congressional District DFL unanimously endorsed Rep. Oberstar for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives. After accepting the nomination, Jim quickly began reporting on the important legislation and hearings that have come out of his House Transportation Committee over the past 18 months, drawing attention to his recent aviation safety oversight hearings where he and his committee grilled FAA directors. “We caught them wrong... we’re going to introduce legislation to stop this practice, to turn that agency around and make it the gold-standard of aviation safety in the world,” Oberstar said about the FAA. Oberstar looked forward to what his Transportation Committee plans for the remainder of the 110th Congress. “The work of this committee is the future of America,” Oberstar said. “And we have an unfinished agenda for the future of America... we’re going to do some good things” including turning the lights on at the Department of Energy with solar power. Oberstar’s endorsement acceptance speech followed a meeting at a coffee shop with local youth to discuss issues affecting college-age men and women. “It was a terrific opportunity to talk with young voters about what’s important to them and try to restore their confidence in government and politics. I want to let them know that Democrats do care about the rising cost of higher-education and the burden of college loans; we do care about shipping jobs overseas, jobs our recent graduates and others could perform ably,” Oberstar said. Jim's Summer ScheduleJim Oberstar will be back home numerous times this summer. Here are some of the upcoming events in the near future:
Candidate Spotlight: Jim Godfrey, State Legislative District 17AJim GodfreyRunning in District 17A; cities of Cambridge, Isanti, and Saint Francis Website: www.votejimgodfrey.com This is the first in the Oberstar Democracy Project’s “Candidate Spotlight” series, a new addition to our newsletter that will feature information about DFL candidates running in the 8th congressional district this year. Jim Godfrey is running against incumbent Rob Eastlund in district 17A to address the difficult circumstances families are facing and wants to give the greater community, rather than the wealthy elite, more representation in government, he says. The Brooklyn Park native has lived in Cambridge for 15 years and teaches at Cambridge-Isanti High School. "Teaching has given me a sense of service," Jim says. "As a community leader, teacher, and father myself, I know that something has to be done to address the squeeze our working families have been feeling." Godfrey says his campaign is about putting progress above politics. Rather than get tangled up in the hot-button political arguments, he looks rather to what policies would help Minnesota communities in real, substantial, and progressive ways. Godfrey believes in investing in local businesses who "keep their money in central Minnesota," rather than send it back to a corporate headquarters thousands of miles away. He gives an example of the benefits of investing in local businesses. "Steve gets his tire repaired at Herman’s; Herman gets his auto parts from Tom's; and Tom goes to Steve's for groceries," Jim says with a laugh. "And all the money and tax revenue stay right here in Minnesota. That is the kind of cycle our communities need in order to remain strong." Godfrey, a former co-President of the teachers' union Education Minnesota Cambridge-Isanti, says that he admires Minnesota’s 1st congressional district Rep. Tim Walz, himself a former teacher. "I think teachers have a unique connection to families and communities that really allows us to be in-tune with the needs of local people," Jim said. If you would like more information about Jim Godfrey's campaign or would like to make a donation in his bid to challenge Rob Eastlund, please visit his website, or you can mail him at 512 Old North Main St. Cambridge, MN 55008 |
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