Obama Plans to Raise Gas Tax by $1.27/Gallon…?

Remember the promise by Obama that no one who makes less than $250,000/year would see a tax increase?

Well…do you make less than $250K? Think you’re “safe”? Do you buy gasoline? Do you use electricity? Then you’re in for an unpleasant surprise if Obama’s new budget is passed, as-is, according to Michigan State Rep., Mike Rogers (R) (emphasis mine):

“President Obama deserves credit for seeking to reduce the federal deficit, increase unemployment benefits for hard hit states like Michigan and address the crippling costs of healthcare, three priorities of mine. Yet I fear his plan to raise taxes on small businesses in 2011 could cost even more jobs.

“One provision in the budget I cannot support is a massive $600 billion energy tax to create a ‘cap and trade’ system to trade carbon dioxide on Wall Street and devastate jobs in manufacturing states like Michigan. It is estimated this plan could raise the price of gasoline by up to $1.27 a gallon and raise electricity prices up to 68%.

“In Michigan the Governor raised taxes on employers and our unemployment went from about 6 percent to about 9 percent, and now she has raised the cost of electricity. You can’t do that in a down economy. These are job killers and bad policy for the country.

“I look forward to working with the President and with Democrats and Republicans in Congress to improve these proposals to help Michigan families get back on their feet.”