Americans for Prosperity is asking members of Congress to sign this pledge:
“I, __________________________, pledge to the taxpayers of the State of _________________ and to the American people that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in federal government revenue.?
Their heart is in the right place, but this isn’t very helpful.
Legislators still can support climate change legislation that doesn’t increase federal government revenue. A cap and trade program, without an auction of permits, wouldn’t increase federal government revenue. In fact, even an auction could be designed so that the revenue went to the states.
The impact would still be devastating to the economy–there are still new energy taxes by forcing utilities and pretty much any business to raise their prices to cover the extra costs.
The potential impact on NC of federal cap and trade legislation, by 2030:
Electricity Prices: 135% higher
Gasoline Prices: 145% higher
Decrease in Disposable Household income: $6,428
Net Job Loss: 146,735
Is this OK just because it doesn’t increase federal revenue?
My recommendation: Either take out the federal government revenue language or just add the following:
“I, __________________________, pledge to the taxpayers of the State of
_________________ and to the American people that I will oppose any
legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in
federal government revenue or increases the costs of energy.?
Simple fix.
