With gas prices at an average of $3.98 per gallon and rising nationwide, reports revealed today that a new scheme to tax Americans for every mile they drive in their cars may be just the latest threat to Michigan families’ financial wellbeing by President Barack Obama and liberal U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

As The Hill reports today, “[t]he Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive. The plan is a part of the administration’s “Transportation Opportunities Act,” an undated draft of which was obtained this week by Transportation Weekly.”

A new mileage tax on Michigan drivers would represent yet another middle class tax hike by Stabenow and her fellow Washington Democrats. Stabenow has dependably supported President Obama’s efforts to raise income tax rates, supported the cap-and-trade energy tax, and supported ObamaCare, which raises taxes by $570 billion. 

“With gas prices at $4-a-gallon and rising, Michiganders shouldn’t be forced to worry about whether President Obama and Debbie Stabenow are preparing to tax them for each and every mile they drive in their cars and trucks,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox today. “Stabenow has eagerly supported President Obama’s higher taxes in the past, including ObamaCare’s $570 billion in tax hikes. Once again, Stabenow’s tax-and-spend Washington agenda stands in stark contrast to her election-cycle posturing.”

Background Information:

Stabenow Supported Cap-And-Trade Legislation During The Obama Administration

In 2009, Stabenow Said She Could Feel The Volatility Brought On By Global Warming When She Was Flying. “‘Climate change is very real,’ she confessed as she embraced cap and trade’s massive tax increase on Michigan industry – at the same time claiming, against all the evidence, that it would not lead to an increase in manufacturing costs or energy prices. ‘Global warming creates volatility. I feel it when I’m flying. The storms are more volatile. We are paying the price in more hurricanes and tornadoes.’” (Henry Payne, “Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Energy Leader,” Detroit News’ Henry Payne’s Sketchbook Blog, 8/11/09)

In 2009, Stabenow Said She Backed The Obama Cap-And-Trade Proposal That Would Limit Emissions 14 Percent Below 2005 Levels By 2020 And 83 Percent By Midcentury. “Stabenow said she personally backs Obama’s calls for a cap-and-trade bill that limits emissions 14 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by midcentury. But she wants to work on the details. ‘It has got to be done in a way that works, particularly for the Midwest, for the manufacturing states,’ she said.” (Darren Samuelsohn, “Climate: Dems Crafting Bicameral Strategy On Cap And Trade, Energy,” Greenwire, 3/19/09)

Stabenow Voted For Three Cap-And-Trade Proposals

In June 2008, Stabenow For Cloture On The Boxer Amendment That Would “Cap Greenhouse Gas Emissions Nationwide.” “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Boxer, D-Calif., substitute amendment no. 4825 that would cap greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and set up a trading system for companies to buy and sell emissions allowances.” (S. 3036, CQ Vote #145: Rejected 48-36: R 7-32; D 39-4; I 2-0, 6/6/08, Stabenow Voted Yea)

In 2005, Stabenow Voted For A Cap-And-Trade System That Would Gap Greenhouse Emissions At 2000 Levels By 2010, And Provide For Trading Of Emissions Allowances. “McCain, R-Ariz., amendment no. 826 that would cap greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010. It would provide for the trading of emission allowances and reductions through a government-provided greenhouse gas database that would contain an inventory of emissions and a registry of reductions.” (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #148: Rejected 38-60: R 6-49; D 31-11; I 1-0, 6/22/05, Stabenow Voted Yea)

In 2003, Stabenow Voted To Cap Greenhouse Emissions At 2000 Levels By 2010. “Lieberman, D-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2028 that would strike the text of the bill and replace it with provisions that would require greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 2000 levels by 2010. Greenhouse gases would be defined as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. It would provide a program of scientific research on climate change, establish a national greenhouse gas database, and create a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances.” (S. 139, CQ Vote #420: Rejected 43-55: R 6-45; D 36-10; I 1-0, 10/30/03, Stabenow Voted Yea 

Fellow Michigan Democrat John Dingell Called Cap-And-Trade “A Great Big” Tax

In 2009, Michigan Democrat John Dingell Called Cap-And-Trade “A Great Big” Tax. “Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), ousted by Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) in a race for the Energy and Commerce Committee chairmanship earlier this year, has called Waxman’s cap-and-trade system ‘a great big’ tax.” (Glenn Thrush, “Dingell: Cap And Trade A ‘Great Big’ Tax,” Politico, 4/27/09)

Dingell: “Nobody In This Country Realizes That Cap And Trade Is A Tax, And It’s A Great Big One.” (Glenn Thrush, “Dingell: Cap And Trade A ‘Great Big’ Tax,” Politico, 4/27/09)

Stabenow Voted Against A Measure That Would Require 60 Votes For Passage Of Legislation That Caused An Increase In Fuel Prices

Stabenow Voted Against An Amendment That Would “Require 60 Votes For Passage Of Any Legislation That Would Result In An Increase In The National Average Price Of Fuel As Determined By The Congressional Budget Office.” “DeMint, R-S.C., motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Bingaman, D-N.M., point of order against the DeMint amendment no. 1546 to the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 1502. The DeMint amendment would require 60 votes for passage of any legislation that would result in an increase in the national average price of fuel as determined by the Congressional Budget Office. The substitute would overhaul national energy policies including requiring the annual use of 15 billion gallons of biofuels by 2015, increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 and making petroleum price gouging a federal crime in a “national energy emergency.” It would also encourage carbon sequestration research, require the federal government to purchase 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015 and direct the State Department to pursue strategic partnerships with major energy-consuming and energy-producing nations.” (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #217: Motion rejected by a vote of 37-55: R 36-9; D 1-44; I 0-2, 6/20/07, Stabenow Voted Nay)