SUE MINTER REFUSES (AGAIN) TO SAY IF SHE WOULD VETO A CARBON TAX…

SUE MINTER REFUSES (AGAIN) TO SAY IF SHE WOULD VETO A CARBON TAX…

ALSO CHAMPIONED A NEW TAX ON MINIVANS, SUV’s & WORK TRUCKS

“Sue Minter supports a regional carbon tax on gas and heating fuel that could add as much as $.88 to each gallon; new sales taxes on services; new ‘cap and trade’ fees on transportation that added $.11 to each gallon of gas in another state; tolls on Vermont’s highways; higher payroll taxes; and higher banking fees.   She also refused, once again, to say in Thursday night’s VPR debate if she would veto a state carbon tax (probably because one of her largest donors told Seven Days she is expected to sign it).

“But somehow, in the flurry of taxes and fees she has promised to raise – and those she has refused to oppose – Sue Minter was hoping Vermonters would overlook another new tax she championed in the Legislature:  a tax on minivans, SUV’s and work trucks.

“In the Legislature, Phil Scott opposed Sue Minter’s tax on minivans.  This is just more evidence that Vermonters cannot afford Sue Minter’s anti-affordability agenda.”  — Brittney Wilson, Campaign Spokeswoman, Phil Scott for Vermont

THE FACTS ABOUT SUE MINTER’S MINI-VAN TAX
As a member of the House Transportation Committee, Sue Minter advocated for – and voted for – H.540, legislation to create a so-called “gas guzzler” tax on minivans, SUV’s and work trucks.

The Legislation went from Sue Minter’s committee to the Appropriations committee, where the tax on mini-vans, SUV’s and work trucks was removed because of outcry from the public.  When the Legislation reached the floor of the House, an amendment was made by then Representative David Zuckerman to add the tax back into the bill.  Sue Minter voted for that amendment to add it back into to bill.

In stark contrast, then Senator Phil Scott worked to have the tax removed from the final version of the bill.

Sources:
House Bill 540: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-540.HTM
House Journal April 18th, 2007
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/journal/hj070418.htm

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