Wednesday, April 16, 2008

McCain gas-tax plan could cost tens of thousands of US jobs

But in all fairness, McCain isn't very good at economics. From the Wall Street Journal:

The Arizona Republican and presumptive presidential nominee today urged Congress to institute a “gas-tax holiday” by suspending the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day....

Relief — or fewer jobs? According to a white paper circulated on Capitol Hill last week by the U.S. Transportation Department, every $1 billion of federal highway investment supports 34,779 jobs.

Many economists have also questioned the wisdom of suspending or cutting gas taxes; doing so, they say, simply stimulates more consumption of gasoline.

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