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Latinos Oppose Gas Tax Increase

(Washington, D.C.) – According to a recent poll from Quinnipiac, Latinos oppose a proposed increase in the gas tax – by a margin of 52 to 42 percent. Some have advocated that a new federal infrastructure package include a gas tax increase of 25 cents per gallon, rather than calling on lawmakers to fund such a package by eliminating wasteful federal spending and costly, counterproductive federal rules and mandates. Backers of a gas tax increase ignore the fact that the average total gas tax has increased from 21 cents per gallon in 1994 to 33 cents per gallon today – even without increase in federal taxes.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“Congress and the president recently came together on a reform plan that reduces the tax burden on hard-working families. It would be a serious mistake to raise the gas tax – which is among the most regressive of taxes, hurting working families and low and middle income earners more than others. The gas tax increase proposed by the administration would cost the average household an estimated $285 per year. As Latinos and others come to understand the great cost they would bear, their opposition will only increase.

As lawmakers work to ensure our infrastructure is properly maintained and updated, they should look to reforms that ensure dollars are spent efficiently, and not wasted. Raising taxes is the wrong approach.”

For interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4463

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