PRESS RELEASE FROM STRATTON CAMPAIGN

May 19, 2008 Contact: 312-505-3599
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE tim@timforillinois.com


TIM STRATTON CALLS FOR
IMMEDIATE GAS TAX RELIEF
TIM STRATTON URGE REP KAREN MAY TO SUPPORT GAS TAX RELIEF MEASURE THIS TUESDAY



Glencoe.…With gas prices rising past $4 per gallon and expected to approach $5 per gallon this summer, Republican candidate for State Representative Tim Stratton is calling on legislators to support an immediate suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline that is to be voted on this Tuesday by the Illinois House of Representatives. According to Stratton, suspension of the sales tax on gasoline purchases would provide immediate relief to consumers by reducing the cost per gallon by at least 17 cents.

“Nothing impacts a family budget more than the rising cost of gasoline,” said Stratton, candidate for State Representative for the 58th District. “Illinois’ high gas prices not only affect families at the pump, it has a chilling effect on the whole economy. Illinois families need relief and they need it now,” said Stratton.

According the AAA fuel gauge, gas per gallon is averaging $4.05 per gallon in the Chicago area. Just one month ago, the average cost per gallon was $3.65.

“Saving families $20 to $30 dollars per month makes a big difference for their budgets and is real money to families already stretched thin,” said Stratton

Stratton supports a House Republican initiative (House Bill 6318) that would suspend the state portion of state gas sales tax immediately through September 15th.

A similar measure was enacted in 2000 by the General Assembly and produced results for Illinois consumers by immediately reducing the cost of gas, according to the AAA (see attached).

House Republican Leader Tom Cross has said the Republicans will move to call the sales tax suspension initiative on Tuesday. On April 9th, House Republicans attempted to call the initiative for a vote, but Democrats used a parliamentary procedure to block the vote. Representative Karen May voted with the Democrat majority on that date to block a vote to suspend the sales tax on gasoline.

“Since Representative May last voted against gas tax relief, prices have risen over 50 cents per gallon,” said Stratton. “I hope she changes her position…again.”

“Since being elected, Representative May has seen her pay increase, she’s passed a budget that is over $1.5 billion in the red and she’s voted against gas tax relief,” said Stratton. "Just last week May voted to increase her pay again. “Now is the time for Representative May to stand with working families, or at least get out of the way.”

On Tuesday, May 20th, House Republicans will move to discharge House Bill 6318 from the Democrat controlled Rules Committee. If approved by the House, the suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline would begin immediately following approval by the Senate and Governor.

####


In 2000, Suspension Of The Sales Tax On Gasoline Worked…
And It Will Again

In 2000, Gas Prices Suddenly Dropped Between 8 And 10 Cents A Gallon Overnight When The Tax Suspension Went Into Effect. “When the tax suspension went into effect July 1, the change in price was obvious, as prices suddenly dropped between 8 and 10 cents a gallon overnight.” (Karen Mellen and Ray Long, “As Gasoline Prices Drop, Tax Debate Continues,” Chicago Tribune, 7/20/00)
AAA Attributed Part Of The Decline In Gas Prices To Illinois’ Temporary Suspension Of Its Gas Tax. “The price of gasoline in Illinois dropped 40 cents since its peak this summer, according to the latest survey Wednesday, a record decrease for one month. … The AAA credited both states [Illinois and Indiana] for temporarily suspending their five percent sales tax on gasoline, and on an increased supply of cleaner-burning reformulated gas.” (Robert McCoppin, “State Gas Prices Set Record One-Month Decline,” Chicago Daily Herald, 7/19/00)
• AAA Chicago Motor Club’s Steve Nolan: “The Temporary Repeal Of The State Gas Tax Has Helped [With Gas Price Drop]…” (Robert Manor, “Illinois Finds Dramatic Relief At Gas Pump,” Chicago Tribune, 8/17/00)
The Decline In Gas Prices Was “Aided By The Suspension July 1 [2000] Of The State’s 5 Percent Sales Tax on Gasoline.” “State legislators had called for the hearings as pump prices soared well above $2 a gallon. The recent decline-aided by the suspension July 1 of the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline-took some of the political expediency out of the hearings.” (Courtney Challos, “Legislators Now Irked Over Falling Gas Prices,” Chicago Tribune, 7/13/00)