Introduced Version
House Resolution 3 History
OTHER VERSIONS -
Introduced Version
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H. R. 3--"Expressing the opposition of the House of
Delegates to a federal energy or BTU tax, and urging the
congressional delegation of West Virginia to oppose the same."
Whereas,
The Clinton Administration has proposed a broad set
of economic policy initiatives aimed at reducing the federal
budget deficit and promoting further economic recovery; and
Whereas,
One such initiative is an energy or BTU tax on the
energy content of most fuels produced and consumed in our nation;
and
Whereas,
Among the effects of an energy tax is higher energy
prices and tax-induced higher production costs which affect
output, investment, employment and export competition; and
Whereas,
Nowhere would these effects impact more heavily
than in West Virginia, an important energy-producing state
ranking second among states in the production of coal, tenth in
the production of natural gas and is one of the leading states in
exporting its products; and
Whereas,
Some 12.2 percent of West Virginia's Gross State
Product is derived from coal mining, oil and gas extraction and
petroleum refining, compared to 2.0 percent of the nation's Gross
Domestic Product; and
Whereas,
West Virginia is also an energy-using state, with
a significant energy-intensive manufacturing sector employing
some 86,800 people and representing 15.6 percent of the State's
Gross State Product; and
Whereas,
A recent study released by American Electric Power
in conjunction with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
concluded that the proposed energy tax could cost an estimated
415,000 jobs across the nation with 23,800 of the lost jobsoccurring in West Virginia, or 3.9 percent of our workforce; and
Whereas,
The study concluded that West Virginia's job losses
are ten times greater than the nation as a whole and larger than
any other state; and
Whereas,
The study concluded that job losses in West
Virginia from the energy tax would be thirty times as high as
jobs lost from an equivalent amount of reduced federal spending;
and
Whereas,
The House of Delegates lauds the determination of
the Clinton Administration to reduce the federal budget deficit
and promote further economic recovery; however, we do not believe
that an energy tax, with such devastating impacts upon our state,
should be a factor in the process; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates expresses its opposition to a
federal energy or BTU tax; and, be it
Further Resolved,
That the House of Delegates urges the
congressional delegation of West Virginia to oppose such tax;
and, be it
Further Resolved,
That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
is hereby directed to forthwith forward a copy of this resolution
to each member of the congressional delegation of West Virginia,
to the President of the United States and to Governor Gaston
Caperton.