Americans for Prosperity Applauds Senate for Blocking 67% Gas and Diesel Tax Hike

MANCHESTER – Americans for Prosperity – New Hampshire (AFP-NH) today applauded the New Hampshire Senate for indefinitely postponing a bill (HB 617) which would have raised the state’s gas and diesel tax by 67%.  The indefinite postponement, by an 18-6 vote, kills the bill for the year.

“Today, the Senate sided with the hard-working taxpayers of New Hampshire by opposing a crushing tax increase every time our drivers fill up at the pump,” said Greg Moore, AFP-NH State Director.  “This outrageous 67% tax increase would made our state less competitive and undercut the New Hampshire Advantage.  We strongly commend the Senate for putting our citizens first, and not asking our citizens to pay an additional $2.50 every time they fill their tanks.”

AFP-NH also pointed out that the impact of the diesel tax increase would have increased the cost of goods across the state.

“The goods we buy at stores across the state and the goods our businesses produce are transported in trucks that use large amounts of diesel fuel,” added Moore.  “A 67% hike in the diesel tax means that everything we buy, from groceries to appliances to clothes, would cost more as this tax hike is passed along to the consumer.  It also means that the many industries that use large amounts of diesel, such as the logging industry in the North Country, would see a huge increase in their costs, which makes them less able to sell their products.  We appreciate the concern the Senate has shown to our economy by stopping this misguided bill.”

AFP-NH led efforts statewide to kill the gas and diesel tax hike.  From testifying against the legislation to setting up an online petition to oppose the bill to running an Internet advertising campaign, blocking this energy tax was a top priority for the organization.