This is really all for show. The GOP controls the general assembly. Will they go for it? Or are the Democrats simply attempting to say “look, we’re offering up A Plan”?
NC democrats discuss potential gas refund for drivers
Senate Democrats are proposing sending a rebate check to drivers across the state to help with the rising cost of gas.
Under a bill filed this week, all adults with a valid North Carolina driver’s license as of March 31 would get a check or debit card for $200.
“The top, top issue we’re hearing is about food prices, gas prices, that they cannot afford anything. So, I think we would really be doing a disservice to the people of North Carolina if we gaveled out of this short session and do absolutely nothing about it,” said Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham County).
Democrats propose using $1.3 billion of the state’s anticipated $4.2 billion surplus this year to pay for their plan.
“We know that this is something the state can afford,” Murdock said. “I just think it’s very difficult to deny folks the funding they need to feed their families and to survive when we have such a great surplus.”
It would equate to, at the moment, about 46 gallons of gas. Many economists say this is better than suspending the state gas tax, which pays for the roads (our roads are actually pretty good). The better option would be to build more energy sources, including regular and natural gas wells. How about authorizing a refinery and nuclear energy? Of course, because the federal government is way too involved in state affairs, they would, at best, take forever to authorize. Most likely they would simply nix any attempt.
Lauren Horsch, a spokesperson for Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, was critical of the rebate idea.
“A one-time rebate that doesn’t cover the average additional monthly cost of Biden’s inflation is nothing more than a band-aid. If we want to help North Carolinians afford their everyday expenses, we should focus on real long-term, permanent tax relief,” she wrote in an email.
I’ll be honest, tax relief can only go so far with Brandonflation.
In his budget proposal earlier this month, Gov. Cooper did not suggest any tax cuts. He did call for additional raises for state workers, putting more money into reserve funds and various other changes to the budget.
So, Cooper is basically looking to hook up a bunch of his donors and voters. In fairness, the average salary for a NC government worker is $46,910, while the private sector is $56,518. In a lot of states, and with the federal government, the public sector employees typically make more than the private sector. But, really, should government workers be making more than private sector? Anyhow, if Democrats want to do something like a rebate, and Republicans agree, make it $400 if there is going to be that much of a budget surplus. Cut the gas tax, which is $0.385 per gallon for regular and diesel, in half. Heck, how about this: cut the tax for diesel for work vehicles for the rest of the year, which would help alleviate some of the costs associated with deliveries.
LOL. It’s the Democrats’ fault that the unhelpful GOPhers won’t help.
My particular government job doesnt exist in the private sector so mo real comparison.
Understanding that donflation is hurting the working class, I was surprised today to say so many cars out and about on a Saturday. The reopened golfplex around the corner was packed with golfers at the driving range and kids lined up at the batting cages. Home Depot was crowded. The shopping center parking lot anchored by Home Depot was nearly full. All this at 10 AM.
Is the media making too much of the current economy?
“Donflation”? So you admit Trump should still be president and the election was stolen? Or are you so self unaware that you actually are trying to blame inflation on someone other than the moron who is causing it?
There is a third option. You’re just a troll.
Poor L’Roy,
We respected you until you claimed that DonJon won the election. No he didn’t. He lost by 7 million votes. Not even close!
Maybe ‘donflation’ is just a shortened version of William Teach’s silly ‘brandonflation’.
How does the U.S. President cause inflation? Good luck.
I was mostly being sarcastic Mr. Dowd but if you don’t know how the U.S. President can and frequently does cause inflation perhaps you should take some online economics courses and spend less time commenting at blogs. My good buddy and fellow AA Walter Williams (Yes, I knew him) suggested reading Hayek but I suggest you read Williams’ “More Liberty Means Less Government” and his book “Race &Economics”. You may find the words of a black American who actually understands economics enlightening. Or you may ignore him because he thoroughly disagrees with you on just about everything. BTW, there is much more involved than just economics regarding the way a president can cause inflation, deflation or in both Carter and Biden’s case stagflation.
Biden’s policies have inflation written all over them and have since he was a senator.
Dear Elwood:
“How does the U.S. President cause inflation? Good luck.”
Glad you asked.
By shutting down pipelines. By creating the expectation of shortages.
Thus setting off record high energy prices which impact all levels of society.
And your next question is…..??
Dear James:
And your next question is…..??
Have you learned nothing?
The dondemic caused oil demand to plummet. US production fell by a third in 2020! Producers of high cost US crude closed up shop. As the bidemic abated in 2021/22 demand surged worldwide. Limited supply (thank OPEC for that) and high demand allows prices to be raised. Although US crude production has shot up 20%, recall that crude oil is a global commodity. US production will continue to increase. Not unexpectedly, when Putin started amassing his murderers on the Ukraine border and subsequently invaded, crude prices shot up! Commodity markets just hate uncertainty, especially involving a major supplier.
The one thing that the Biden admin did that increased prices was to halt the importation of Russian petroleum, causing a further increase in global crude.
James: We get it. Con men don’t like liberal Democrats since our policy prescriptions are anathema to yours. We can hardly blame you for putting all this at President Biden’s feet. Politics ain’t beanbag.
What did the left do that caused this world wide horror show?
Simple as pie.
Let me serve it ah al mode.
The LEFT LOCKED DOWN THE WORLDS ECONOMY for months and months. Essentially for a year and 1/2. During that time pent up demand, printed money given to leftist flunkies piled up with nothing to spend it on.
Then suddenly the left could no longer keep us locked down. The tyranny had to go or else it would be called what it was. Tyranny.
When it left us, country after country went back to work with bags full of money and NOTHING to spend it on. Pent up demand vs low supply meant HUGE PRICE INCREASES.
No one need be fooled by DOWDS rants. The lockdowns LED by LEFTIST NATIONS and the LEFT in the USA has destroyed this worlds economy for a generation. We will be living with inflation for a decade because the left continues to put their boot on our throats to STROKE their AGW EGOS.
In the end it was pretty simple. Lockdowns, lockdowns and more lockdowns led by BIDEN and the rest of the crazed and insane leftist governments around the world.
The flaw in DOOM AND GLOOM’s analysis is that DonJon tRump (R-FL) was president, and most states were under conservative rule, during the pandemic. Is DonJon a leftist GOPher?
Jeff,
The flaw in the analysis is that you have no idea as to what you are committing on and you fail to acknowledge reality. Then you are a bigoted dumbass.
Another flaw in DOOM AND GLOOM’s analysis is that DonJon trump signed trillions of dollars in Covid relief bills.
But we get it. Con men hate all things Democratic.
L’Roy,
I’m familiar with Professor Willams’ work. Recall he would fill in for the Mouth from Missouri, Rush Limbaugh. Thanks for the advice.
And yes, I disagree with his conclusions. In my opinion libertarians tend to rely more on their philosophy and dogma than the realities on the ground.