HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Robert A. Gleason, Jr. sympathizes with Pennsylvania truckers hurt by rising fuel prices and believes that Senator John McCain’s plan to temporarily suspend the Federal gas tax is the best way to provide immediate relief.  Chairman Gleason cannot comprehend why Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama won’t support a tax holiday that will benefit not only truck drivers but all Americans.

“The rising price of gas certainly has affected every American and it is an issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later,” Gleason said.  “Thousands of people, many from Pennsylvania, traveled to Washington today to protest high fuel prices and I believe they have a right to be frustrated.  I applaud Senator John McCain for putting forward a plan to provide immediate relief to Americans by temporarily suspending the Federal gas tax.  This is clearly the best way to provide immediate relief to all Americans. 

“Meanwhile, Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama has rejected Sen. McCain’s plan to save Americans $6 billion this summer in gas taxes.  Obama’s inaction on this issue is sure to leave Pennsylvanians’ frustrated.  Fuel prices are way too high and we need to elect a leader who is going to stand up and put forth both short and long term solutions to this issue.  If Pennsylvania truckers can’t work because of high fuel costs, the American consumer suffers, and apparently Barack Obama does not care.” 

As Truckers Gather In DC To Protest High Diesel Prices, Why Won't Barack Obama Support A Tax Holiday That Would Benefit Them And Consumers?

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Today, Truckers From Across The Nation Will Gather In Washington, D.C. To Protest Rising Fuel Costs:

Thousands Of People Will Rally In Washington, D.C. To Protest Rising Fuel Costs That Are "Running Some Independent Truckers Out Of Business." "Thousands of people from across the country are planning to rally Monday in Washington, D.C., to protest record oil prices that are ravaging the national economy and running some independent truckers out of business.  'We're going to let them know that, somewhere along the line, they forgot they work for us,' said Myerstown, Pa., trucker Mark Kirsch, referring to the protesters' intention to demand a meeting with congressional leaders." (Tom Dochat, "Truckers Plan Protest Monday Over Oil Prices," The [Cleveland, OH] Plain Dealer, 4/26/08)

Sen. John McCain Proposed Immediate Tax Relief To Address Rising Diesel Costs:

Sen. John McCain's Gas Tax Relief Plan Would Suspend The 24.4 Cent Diesel Tax From Memorial Day To Labor Day. "Hard-working American families are suffering from higher gasoline prices. John McCain calls on Congress to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.4 cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day." (John McCain For President Website, www.johnmccain.com, Accessed 4/28/08)

But Obama Opposes Immediate Tax Relief, Despite Voting For It In The Past:

Obama Called The Gas Tax Holiday A "Bad Idea." "Earlier Monday at a community college in the Philadelphia suburbs, Obama rejected a tax holiday as bad economic policy. 'I've said I think John McCain's proposal for a three-month tax holiday is a bad idea,' Obama said, warning consumers that any price cut would be short lived before costs spike back." (Nick Timiraos, "Clinton Joins McCain On Gas-Tax Holiday," The Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" Blog, blogs.wsj.com, 4/21/08)

But As A State Senator, Obama Voted To Suspend The State Sales Tax On Motor Fuels. (S.B. 1310: Senate Third Floor Reading, Passed, 50-0-6, 3/8/00, Obama Voted Yea)

·       The State Of Illinois Suspended Its Five Percent Sales Tax On Motor Fuels. "After a whirlwind legislative session, Gov. Ryan signed legislation Thursday that suspends the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline. If that is passed on to consumers, fuel prices would drop by about a dime per gallon." (Dave McKinney and Fran Spielman, "Ryan Signs Suspension Of Gas Tax," Chicago Sun-Times, 6/30/00)

Why Doesn't Obama Acknowledge That Rising Fuel Costs Hurt The Trucking Industry?

According To The Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Truck Drivers And Driver/Sales Workers Held 3.4 Million Jobs In 2006. "Truck drivers and driver/sales workers held about 3.4 million jobs in 2006. Of these workers, 445,000 were driver/sales workers and 2.9 million were truck drivers." (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/28/08)

·       In 2006, There Were Over 1.8 Million Truck Drivers Who Operated Heavy Trucks And Tractor Trailers. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/28/08)

It Costs About $1,200 To Fuel A Tractor Trailer. "Today, it costs about $1,200 to fuel a tractor trailer." (American Trucking Association, "ATA Testifies On The Strategic Petroleum Reserves And Record Fuel Prices," Press Release, 4/24/08)

Each Year The Trucking Industry Consumes Over 39 Billion Gallons Of "The Lifeblood Of The Trucking Industry"... Diesel Fuel. "Diesel fuel is the lifeblood of the trucking industry. Each year, the trucking industry consumes over 39 billion gallons of diesel fuel. This means that a one-cent increase in the average price of diesel costs the trucking industry an additional $391 million in fuel expenses annually." (Dave Berry On Behalf Of The American Trucking Association, Select Committee On Energy Independence And Global Warming, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony, 4/24/08, p. 2)

·       In 2008, The Department Of Energy Forecasts That The Trucking Industry Will Spend "$141.5 Billion On Fuel This Year." "The average national price of diesel fuel is now $4.14 per gallon, nearly double what it cost in 2004. Based on current Department of Energy forecasts, the trucking industry will be forced to spend an incredible $141.5 billion on fuel this year. This is $29 billion more than in 2007, and more than double the amount we spent 4 years ago." (Dave Berry On Behalf Of The American Trucking Association, Select Committee On Energy Independence And Global Warming, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony, 4/24/08, p. 2)

Rising Diesel Costs Are A Trucker's Greatest Expense.  "Diesel costs, a trucker's greatest expense, seriously threaten the nation's half a million freight haulers, said Michael Riley, president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, whose 1,000 members include movers, construction companies, landscapers, food transporters and other carriers. 'It's putting more stress on the trucking industry than anything I've seen in 20 years,' Mr. Riley said. 'It's affecting the bottom line, and if truckers can't make a profit, they can't run, and if they don't run, we're in trouble.'" (Harlan J. Levy, "Pain Of Rising Diesel Costs Is Swift And Sharp," The New York Times, 4/27/08)

Why Doesn't Obama Acknowledge That Rising Fuel Costs For Truckers Hurt The American Consumer?

Rising Fuel Costs "Have The Potential To Increase The Cost Of Everything Transported By Truck, Including Food, Retail, And Manufactured Goods." "Because trucks haul nearly all consumer goods, rising fuel costs have the potential to increase the cost of everything transported by truck, including food, retail and manufactured goods." (American Trucking Association, "ATA Testifies On The Strategic Petroleum Reserves And Record Fuel Prices," Press Release, 4/24/08)

Trucks Transport 70 Percent Of All Freight Tonnage And At Least 80 Percent Of U.S. Towns And Communities Receive Consumer Goods By Truck. "Consumers are also shouldering the burden. 'Trucks transport 70 percent of all freight tonnage, and at least 80 percent of all towns and communities in the U.S. get their consumer goods like clothing and food by truck,' said Bob Costello, chief economist at American Trucking Associations. 'So, with diesel prices at a record high, that has to lead to higher prices for you and me.'" (Harlan J. Levy, "Pain Of Rising Diesel Costs Is Swift And Sharp," The New York Times, 4/27/08)

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