In the face of record profits for oil companies, a shortage of money for roads and a need for conservation, why are legislators advocating for a suspension of gasoline taxes?

While this move may seem like relief, the move is counterproductive for everyone except oil producers and refiners. Lowering the price by reducing taxes hides the profits of big oil and reduces the incentive to conserve gasoline by driving less. Prices, to some degree, are driven by demand and artificially reducing prices so people will keep driving keeps demand high. Suspending taxes takes out the money we spend that comes back to us in the form of road repair and other services while we keep spending our money on the higher prices charged by oil companies.

Maine and the United States need policies that support real conservation and reflect the true costs of petroleum usage rather than Band-Aid policies that allow us to keep our heads in the sand and oil profits high for a few more months.

Tad Johnston

Old Town