11/ 30/ 2007
NFIB led a lobbying effort on Capitol Hill to block a proposed 5 cents per gallon increase in the federal gas tax. In September, U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar proposed the hike, and NFIB delivered the message that increasing the tax would hurt many American consumers and small businesses.
NFIB worked closely with U.S. Reps. Melissa Bean, Nick Lampson and Heath Shuler, who organized several other Democratic members of the House against the increase. The representatives delivered a letter to Chairman Oberstar, reflecting NFIB's concerns about a tax hike and noting that, unlike their larger counterparts, it is much more difficult for small businesses to absorb increased prices. For small-business owners, more expensive gasoline translates into less investment in their businesses, fewer employees and higher costs.
At press time, no vote was scheduled for the chairman's proposal.
