Dan Scripps, Democratic Candidate for Michigan's 101st State House seat, held a press conference this morning in Ludington,MI calling on State and Federal legislators to act on the Democrats plan to reduce the cost of gas by investing in alternative fuels and an incentive package for production and sale.
"Last week the average cost of a gallon of gas here in Michigan was $4.19. It's an increase of 28% in the last year and 5% in the last month. Locally prices are even higher. $4.25 in Freesoil, $4.27 in Bear Lake, $4.29 in Beulah. This is not news to our working families. Because of sky rocketing gas prices citizens have to make difficult choices everyday. They have to cut spending to afford gas. Which means less money being pumped into our local economy and our local businesses. They are saving less money than ever before, which means less money put away for their children's education and they are increasing their debt. A recent Associated press poll showed that gas prices are causing a hardship for nine out of ten Americans. Meanwhile, oil companies are continuing to post record profits. In February of this year, Exxon Mobile, the largest gas company in the country reported that it's 2007 profits hit $40.6 billion. Now, some are quick to blame our neighbors who own local gas stations, but when the price of oil spikes our locally owned and operated gas stations also feel the pain. It hurts their business and our local economy, the same way that it hurts our wallets. More and more of our local gas stations can't even afford to stay in business. Something has to be done."
"Moreover the three largest industries in Michigan, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism rely on affordable gas prices. And higher gas prices have a huge impact here in Northwest Michigan. Especially during the heart of our summer season."
"If we want to turn Michigan around we have to be proactive to prevent the pain at the pump. We must demand change to help our working families, small businesses and our economy and make it affordable for people to make the trip up north. We need to raise our voices and say "Enough is enough!"."
"As candidate for State Representative I want to be the voice for working families. That's why I am calling on the State Senate, including Senator Gerald VanWorkem and Senator Michelle McManus to take strong action to protect consumers from the sky rocketing gas prices that are holding families hostage. The residents of Michigan deserve someone who will stand up for them, not for the special interests and the big oil companies. That's why the House recently passed a plan that will encourage the use of alternative fuels that we can produce right here in Michigan. Making Michigan a powerhouse of the 21st Century economy and reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
"Today's plan features four key points, insurance discounts for residents who buy hybrid vehicles, tax incentives for machines used to harvest biomass, creating the Alternative Fuels Fund, and expanding the role of the Renewable Fuels Commission.
First we are providing discounts for those who buy hybrid vehicles. Hybrids are more fuel efficient and emit less carbon dioxide. Auto insurance discounts are an inventive way to spur the purchase of hybrid vehicles. Support growth in the fast growing alternative fuels industry and give American car companies who build hybrids a boost.
Second, our plan provides tax incentives for people who buy machines to harvest biomass and the production of alternative fuels...including wood, crops and manure. By offering tax incentives for machines used to harvest biomass we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and support agricultural products grown right here in Michigan.
Third, our plan creates an Alternative Fuel Fund. This fund will be used to provide incentives for the sale of alternative fuels, award grants to producers of alternative fuels here in Michigan, encourage the development of quality standards for alternative fuels and provide incentives to retailers to sell alternative fuels. This helps promote he sale of vehicles that use alternative fuels.
Finally, our plan expands the role of the Renewable Fuels Commission. The Renewable Fuels Commission provides elected officials, agency personnel and the media with important insight during the policy making process. The commission currently is set to expire on January 1st, 2010. Our plan extends the commission until January 1st, 2012. Our plan also requires the commission to report on the source of alternative fuels sold in Michigan and where alternative fuel producers in Michigan sell their fuel."
"By increasing the production of alternative fuels we will take control of our own economic future. This plan will help the sky rocketing cost of gas and bring our motorists much needed relief at the pump. But we can't do it all ourselves. So today I am also calling on Congress to take decisive action to address the impact of the cost of gas on consumers.
As worldwide competition for oil continues to increase and stability of many oil producing nations continues to decrease, the US must take action to secure our energy needs. By working together we will drive down gas prices and get Michigan back on track."
Dan Scripps is continuing to speak his message of growth and prosperity in Northern Michigan and across the state with his Blueprint for Michigan's Future: Jobs, Schools and the Great Outdoors. Inside Michigan Politics lists this race as a "toss up" and it is also one of the "Top Ten State House Races To Watch" according to the Michigan Information and Research Service. In 2006, Dan Scripps won over 48% of the vote against 2 term incumbent David Palsrok(R-Manistee). Dan is the only Michigan State House candidate to be endorsed by the 21st Century Democrats. Please consider donating or volunteering to help elect Michigan's Progressive Netroots candidate today.
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Previous Diaries on Dan Scripps from our regional state blog West Michigan Rising can be found here.