Letter to Mark Warner on SCHIP funding

Here is a copy of what I sent Senator Mark Warner on the issue of funding the proposed expansion of SCHIP (States Childrens' Health Insurance Program).

First let me offer you my congratulations at your election victory.

I wish to discuss an issue that is very dear to me. This issue is the attempt to fund the proposed increase in SCHIP benefits at the expense of our state's economy.

It has been proposed that such an expansion should only be funded through an increase in the taxes on tobacco.

A large segment of your (our) state's economy is dependent on tobacco. I do not understand why Virginia's economy is expected to shoulder such an unfair share of the burden of funding the increase.

It is my expectation that you will be willing to represent all of the citizens of your state. I believe that you possess the power to stop the increase in tobacco taxes dead in its tracks by joining in a filibuster of the legislation until the increased tobacco taxes are removed.

While I am not a one issue voter, this issue is extremely important to me. I consider your actions on this issue to be a litmus test as to whether you are suitable to represent Virginia in the Senate.

Letter to Jim Webb on SCHIP funding

Here is a copy of what I sent Senator Jim Webb on the issue of funding the proposed expansion of SCHIP (States Childrens' Health Insurance Program).

First let me say that you enjoyed my vote when you were elected.

Second, let me state that in general I have been pleased with your service as one of my representatives in the Senate.

But I wish to discuss an issue that is very dear to me. This issue is the attempt to fund the proposed increase in SCHIP benefits at the expense of our state's economy.

It has been proposed that such an expansion should only be funded through an increase in the taxes on tobacco.

A large segment of your (our) state's economy is dependent on tobacco. I do not understand why Virginia's economy is expected to shoulder such an unfair share of the burden of funding the increase.

It is my expectation that you will be willing to represent all of the citizens of your state. I believe that you possess the power to stop the increase in tobacco taxes dead in its tracks by joining in a filibuster of the legislation until the increased tobacco taxes are removed.

While I am not a one issue voter, this issue is extremely important to me. I consider your actions on this issue to be a litmus test as to whether you are suitable to represent Virginia in the Senate. I wrote to you in 2008 about this issue, and the response I received from you was completely unsatisfactory.

Letter to Glenn Nye on SCHIP funding

Here is a copy of what I sent Representative Glenn Nye on the issue of funding the proposed expansion of SCHIP (States Childrens' Health Insurance Program).

First off, let me congratulate you on your election victory.

Second, let me express my gratitude to you for running Thelma Drake out of office. When your candidacy was announced, I didn't think you stood a chance. I am pleased you proved me wrong.

Now let me get into SCHIP.

I am in favor of the passage of the increased benefits offered in the SCHIP legislation, however I am 100% against the proposed method of funding it.

There is no reason that the Virginia economy should be expected to pay a much higher price to expand the coverage then nearly every other state.

A significant portion of Virginia's economy is tied to tobacco. The increased tobacco tax is not just designed to fund SCHIP, it is hoped that such an increase will drive the tobacco industry out of business.

I hope that you will send a message to the nation that your own state's economy should not be burdened in these difficult economic times with such an extreme increase in taxes. That if the majority of Americans desire an expansion of SCHIP, then the majority should be expected to chip in as well to pay for it.

Truckers In Favor of Fuel Tax Hike

(See here) an Associated Press Piece which appears at the MSNBC website that reports about the federal commission that overseas financing transportation has recommended an increase in the federal fuel tax. Currently the tax is 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents a gallon on diesel. If Congress goes along with the recommendation, the gas tax would increase by 10 cents a gallon and the tax on diesel would go up by 12 cents to 15 cents a gallon.

I am a self employed trucker. Personally, I am in favor of the increases. From what I hear on the CB, I thought I was pretty much a lone wolf in the trucking industry by being in favor of such a tax increase.

I was pleasantly surprised (although not shocked) that I am not completely alone. In fact, I may be in the majority. The linked to piece reports that the American Trucking Associations (ATA) is also in favor of the increase. Quoting from the article:

Charles Whittington, chairman of the American Trucking Associations, which supports a fuel tax increase as long as the money goes to highway projects, said Congress may decide to disguise a fuel tax hike as a surcharge to combat climate change.

Transportation is responsible for about a third of all U.S. carbon emissions created by burning fossil fuels. Traffic congestion wastes an estimated 2.9 billion gallons of fuel a year. Less congestion would reduce greenhouse gases and dependence on foreign oil.

"Instead of calling it a gas tax, call it a carbon tax," Whittington said.

Bottlenecks around the nation cost the trucking industry about 243 million lost truck hours and about $7.8 billion per year, according to the commission.

First off, let me inform you who the members of the ATA are. They include the majority of the larger trucking companies in the nation.

I also wish to point out that this support comes with a caveat. It is only as long as the money goes to highway projects. I am in agreement with them on this.

I am also quite amazed that the Chairman of the ATA, Charles Whittington, suggests calling it a carbon tax instead of a fuel tax. Could it be that the ATA is worried about their contributions to global warming?

I am really tickled that I am not so alone by being in favor of measures like this. In fact, if I am in agreement with the ATA I am accompanied by most of the heavy weights in the industry.