Sen. Stabenow Targets 5 Oil Companies To End Taxpayer Subsidies
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Local drivers are still feeling the pinch from record-breaking gas prices. With gas prices holding at record-breaking levels, Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow was at a Southfield gas station Friday, throwing her support behind a bill that will eliminate tax subsidies to the five most profitable oil companies.
Stabenow was joined at the gas station for her announcement by small business owners who said that the high cost of gas is hurting business.
"If there ever was a moment where it was clear, this is it, highest corporate profits ever, raising prices at the pump, in the meantime the taxpayers provide $4 billion a year to the oil companies and get no break for it," says Stabenow.
Ann Arbor businesswoman Sharon McReel has as many as 14 drivers on the road, they are part of her 'Betty Brigade' they help people organize their lives.
McReel says that she welcomes Sen. Debbie Stabenow's efforts get some control over Michigan's gas prices.
"We are really happy that Michigan's economy is starting to show some progress and we're starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But it's a challenge when you start seeing higher gas prices," says McReel.
"We are really paying twice as tax-payers. Because we are paying once at the pump, outrageously high prices and then secondly, we are paying as taxpayers, providing huge taxpayer subsidies while we have a deficit in this county. We can't afford these subsidies anymore," says Stabenow.
