Steve Lonegan Signs Climate Pledge, Challenges Opponents to Oppose Climate Related Taxes
“As our economy struggles to recover under President Obama’s heavy hand, the last thing we need is more regulations and taxes. A cap-and-trade tax would have a devastating effect on all New Jerseyans, and would hit our already struggling manufacturing sector especially hard.”
METUCHEN, NJ – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Lonegan signed the Americans for Prosperity No Climate Tax Pledge, opposing any climate change legislation that includes a net increase in government revenue. Mayor Lonegan challenged Cory Booker and the other candidates in the race to sign the pledge and protect New Jersey taxpayers and businesses from hidden taxes.
The pledge simply states that Mayor Lonegan will “oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”
President Obama has pushed for a cap-and-trade tax that would make every energy-consuming activity automatically more expensive. The result of this tax will mean higher energy prices, fewer jobs and little to no demonstrable affect on our environment.
Several studies have demonstrated the harmful effects of a cap-and-trade program or carbon tax:
Cap-and-trade would cause gasoline prices to jump $1.73 per gallon by 2050 (Beacon Hill Institute)
A tax on emissions would increase domestic electricity prices by 12 percent, gasoline prices by 6 percent, natural gas prices by 43 percent, and coal prices by 110 percent (National Association of Manufacturers)
A carbon tax could result in 1.5 million lay-offs within the first year of a carbon tax alone and a 1 percent decrease in labor income (National Association of Manufacturers)
A $20/ton of carbon tax would sap $133 billion out of the economy each year over a 40-year period. (National Association of Manufacturers)
“I am proud to sign Americans for Prosperity’s No Climate Tax Pledge and challenge all my opponents to follow suit,” Mayor Lonegan said. “As our economy struggles to recover under President Obama’s heavy hand, the last thing we need is more regulations and taxes. A cap-and-trade tax would have a devastating effect on all New Jerseyans, and would hit our already struggling manufacturing sector especially hard.
“Last week Cory Booker introduced another plan filled with pricey taxpayer-funded giveaways – what he called his job plan. But if Cory Booker really wants to create jobs, the first thing he should do is to stop supporting policies that destroy jobs. Signing the No Climate Tax Pledge would be a good start.”
