We can have clean air without punishing consumers.IF there's one thing about which everyone in Los Angeles can agree, it s that we all support clean air. Formerly the smog capital of the nation, we've come a long way zin cleaning up the air we all breathe, and we need to take additional steps to continue in that direction. However, a November ballot measure to increase oil taxes is the wrong way to accomplish this agreeable goal. The Valley Industry & Commerce Association opposes this ballot measure along with a coalition that includes the California Chamber of Commerce and the Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded December 13, 1900 in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws and improvement of overall driving conditions. . At a time when gasoline prices already are high, this initiative would add billions more in taxes on oil production leading to higher gasoline prices. This tax will certainly lead to increases in travel costs for consumer goods consumer goods Any tangible commodity purchased by households to satisfy their wants and needs. Consumer goods may be durable or nondurable. Durable goods (e.g., autos, furniture, and appliances) have a significant life span, often defined as three years or more, and , and will make it even more difficult for Californians in both public and private sectors--truckers, school bus operators, airlines, commuters and soccer moms. That just doesn't make much sense. Furthermore, because higher taxes would discourage instate in·state tr.v. in·stat·ed, in·stat·ing, in·states To establish in office; install. oil production, it would also increase our dependence on foreign oil. Moreover, the measure would create a whole new bureaucracy with the power to spend unlimited tax dollars without accountability or results. This new state agency would be run by more than 50 political appointees outside the normal state budget review process and outside the normal checks and balances that govern other agencies. VICA VICA Vocational Industrial Clubs of America VICA Video Conferencing Alliance (UK) VICA Vocational Industrial Chapters of America VICA Vision Counsel of America strongly believes that cleaner energy usage is the way of the future, but this initiative will merely siphon siphon (sī`fən, –fŏn), tube through which a liquid is lifted over an elevation by the pressure of the atmosphere and is then emptied at a lower level. dollars out of consumers' pockets and reduce our ability to compete in the world market place. We must find positive incentives to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and clean up our air. VICA believes that our state legislators can accomplish these priorities without creating a punitive and regressive tax regressive tax Tax levied at a rate that decreases as its base increases. Regressivity is considered undesirable because poorer people pay a greater percentage of their income in tax than wealthier people. burden for California businesses and residents. VICA is eager to participate in what will surely be a spirited debate on this important topic. Let's work together to clean up our air and cut fuel consumption without punishing California consumers in the process. Bob Scott is chairman of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, a business advocacy organization based in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . |
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