Douglas Questions Cardin's Opposition To Cut Federal Gas Tax

Cumberland - Maryland U.S. Senate Candidate Richard Douglas criticized incumbent Senator Ben Cardin today for opposing a US Senate effort to cut the federal gas tax. Appearing on radio stations WCBC and WFRB in western Maryland, where gas prices hover at $4 per gallon, Douglas condemned Cardin's failure to support a Senate bill that would have reduced the current federal gax tax from 18.4 cents per gallon to 3.7 cents over five years.

"Ben Cardin could have voted for working families and against one of the most burdensome taxes in America. Instead, he choked," said Douglas. "Meanwhile, Goverenor O'Malley continues his stubborn gas tax-a-thon in Annapolis, and Mr. Cardin is as quiet as a mouse. This is just pathetic."

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) offered the amendment which Cardin rejected. "Martin O'Malley is talking about bridge collapses and the urgency of 'investing' in infrastructure," Douglas added. "In addition to reducing the federal gas tax, Senator DeMint's amendment would also have drastically sped up transportation projects by reducing bureaucratic delays. Instead, Ben Cardin cast a vote to tax Maryland more and aggravate bureaucratic delay."

While voicing strong support for federalism in America, Douglas noted that Cardin consistently hides behind the principle to avoid breaking ranks with Governor O'Malley and his anti-worker circles in Annapolis. Said Douglas, "Federalism should not become an excuse for dereliction of duty. Cardin should support efforts to reduce taxes on Marylanders, and he should loudly oppose O'Malley's efforts to raise them. Instead, Cardin is absent from his post. Once again, Senator Cardin chokes and Maryland suffers. Maryland deserves a better US Senator."