10/ 01/ 2008
U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine), ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.-Dist. 8) introduced companion bills that would lower the federal tax rate on diesel fuel to the current rate on gasoline.
The Diesel Tax Parity Act (S. 2896 and H.R. 6487) would help small business owners who depend on diesel-operated vehicles to run their businesses by reducing the federal tax on diesel fuel from 24.3 cents per gallon to 18.3 cents per gallon.
"Energy costs are the second most troubling problem facing small business owners today," says Dan Danner, NFIB executive vice president. "To help small business owners continue to run and expand their businesses, Congress needs to do everything within its power to ease the burden of record high fuel prices. The Diesel Tax Parity Act does just that and will help many small business owners from cutting back on business operations."
According to a 2006 NFIB National Small Business Poll on energy efficiency, in response to higher diesel/gasoline prices, 18 percent of small business owners with business vehicles rescheduled or changed routing; 16 percent used fewer vehicles or used them less frequently; and 11 percent purchased more energy efficient vehicles.
"We commend Senator Snowe and Representative Giffords for introducing the Diesel Tax Parity Act and look forward to working with them to help Congress pass this important legislation," Danner says.
