Editorial: They take a pass on tax pandering
Wednesday, April 12, 2000 | 9:53 a.m.
The deadline for Americans to file their income tax returns is fast approaching and, as has grown more common in recent years, Congress once again is taking this opportunity to capitalize on the tax grief some Americans feel. Holding hearings and taking votes on tax legislation can serve a purpose when it shines a spotlight where inequities exist.
But since this is an election year, there also is room for partisan mischief. A case in point was legislation by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., that would roll back a 1993 tax hike of 4.3 cents per gallon of gas. Lott and some other Republicans contended this would lessen the burden on Americans who are paying dramatically higher prices at the pump.
Economists punctured holes in their arguments for a rollback, though. For instance, cutting gas taxes won't necessarily lower prices at the pump -- oil companies simply will pocket the difference instead. In addition, a rollback means that fewer tax dollars will go to pay for needed highway road construction, which federal gas taxes fund. The real motivation behind Lott's bill was to score cheap political points with voters, trying to make it appear that Republicans were more concerned than Democrats in lowering gas prices.
Despite the temptation to pander in an election year, a near miracle occurred Tuesday: The Senate convincingly rejected Lott's ill-conceived plan, as 12 Republicans broke ranks to help defeat the measure, 56-43, in a procedural vote. It is encouraging to see that the Republican-led Senate took a respite, however brief, from playing political games on high gas prices, an issue that isn't going to be solved by partisanship.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Live Blog: Pacquiao wins by TKO in round twelve
- Clubs want to be ‘good citizen,’ so stripper-mobile ends its run
- Police seek man who stole $2,000 worth of clothing
- Nuclear plant in Ely could complicate radioactive waste, water issues
- Now we can all see Islamic extremism for what it truly is
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao: The only fight fans want to see
- Manny Pacquiao says he feels stronger than ever
- Ensign Federal Credit Union fails
- Gorman tops Palo Verde to dance into Sunset finals
- Small city struggles with shocking allegations
Blogs
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Harry Reid is powerful for Northern Nevada, too!
The Kats Report
New face of Monte Carlo includes all the faces of Caliendo
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate (2 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (11 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Harry Reid's fourth TV ad begins running today
The Greene Room
Chad Ochocinco vs. Anderson Silva? That would be a sight ... (6 Comments)
Calendar »
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
- 19 Thu
-
Actor's Expo at Rave Motion Pictures
Rave Motion Pictures Town Square 18 | 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
-
Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre
Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand
-
Neil Sedaka at the Orleans
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
Supernatural Santana – A Trip Through the Hits at The Joint
The Joint
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati





