3/8/00

Eliminate the Gore Gas Tax
ATR calls for elimination of 4.3-cent-per-gallon fuel surtax

WASHINGTON- Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has called on President Clinton and Congress to eliminate the Gore Gas Tax, the 4.3-cent-per-gallon fuel surtax that was part of the 1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.  As President of the Senate, Vice President Gore cast the deciding vote on the 1993 budget.  The surtax was designated for "deficit reduction."

Experts agree that by summer 2000, average gas prices could exceed $2.00 per gallon.  Just one year ago, gas prices averaged about $1.00 per gallon.  Prices for a barrel of oil have almost tripled in the last two years and have more than doubled in the last year, leading to this dramatic increase in gasoline prices working Americans pay at the gas pump.

Grover Norquist, president of ATR, issued the following statement calling on President Clinton and Congress to eliminate the Gore Gas Tax:

"ATR calls on President Clinton and Congress to eliminate the Gore Gas Tax that was levied on gasoline as a 'deficit reduction' mechanism as part of the 1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

"Under a Democratically controlled Congress, President Clinton pushed this fuel surcharge through the House and then had to rely on his vice president, Al Gore, to cast the deciding vote in the Senate.  This tax has continued despite the fact that the federal budget is now in surplus. 

"In recent weeks, prices at the pump have risen as much as $.25 cents.  Since this time last year, prices have increased about $.50.  For an average working family, this dramatic increase in gas prices disproportionately affects their ability to afford basic necessities, such as food and clothing for their children. 

"President Clinton and Congress could help working Americans adjust to rapidly increasing prices at the pump by eliminating this destructive fuel surtax.  In this era of huge government surpluses and robust economies, it is time for the government to eliminate the Gore Gas Tax."