The results of a new survey suggest that the bill Dingall proposed last week will be unpopular with Americans. Although 62% of respondents believe “immediate and drastic” action must be taken to avoid major disruptions to life on earth, only 18% strongly favor a gas tax, which lies at the heart of legislation proposed by chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. John Dingell.
His proposal calls for a 50-cent tax per gallon of gas to be phased in over five years and then adjusted for inflation. 48% of Americans are opposed to “increasing taxes on gasoline so people either drive less or buy cars that use less gas,” according to a survey by Yale University, Gallup and the ClearVision Institute.
Jet fuel would also be subject to the 50-cent tax, though diesel fuel, which produces 20% fewer emissions would be exempt from the tax, as would biofuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel.
Dingall is also calling for a $50 tax on each ton of carbon produced from coal, petroleum and natural gas. The tax would also be phased in over 5 years and adjusted for inflation, and funds from the new taxes would be used to improve roads, mass transit and airports.
Mortgage interest deductions for homes over 3,000 feet would be phased out under the proposed legislation and would be eliminated immediately for homes over 4,200 square feet.
The federal earned income tax credit would be expanded to include a greater proportion of taxpayers in an effort to reduce the impact of the new fuel taxes on lower-income families.
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