ATR Opposed to Governor Schweitzer Energy Tax Hike Support

Governor Schweitzer is supporting tax hikes on oil and natural gas.  Three major problems:

1.  December 16, 2008 Gov. Schweitzer says, "There’s not going to be any tax increases."  With this proposal he is diverging from what he told the people of Montana on December 16th.

2.  There is never a good time for a tax increase, yet he is daring to propose one in a recession.  This would hurt families and the businesses that employ them. 

3.  Tax hikes will hurt the investments of the people in Montana.  Approximately 60% of U.S. households are invested in the stock market through one investment vehicle or another, with over 14% of portfolios of energy sector stock.  Taxes on these companies have a negative impact on the public’s investment.  

Conclusion: Governor Schweitzer’s support for an energy tax hike is a bad idea.

To read ATR’s letter to the Governor, click here.