[WestMALocals] state republican energy proposal

[Nat Fortune]

from State House News

My opinion: this first part makes sense, if energy efficient means at 
least Energy Star rated, but you'd do even more if you required 
EnergyStar level or better energy-efficient appliances installed in 
rental apartments and new homes. Or required it of all appliances sold 
in MA.  Still, it beats the Democratic party leadership on this issue.

> Rising gas taxes exacerbated by the Gulf Coast natural disaster have 
> vaulted energy issues upwards on the public policy agenda.  As 
> Democrats work on their response, House Minority Leader Rep. Bradley 
> Jones will unveil an energy efficiency package this week that includes 
> a plan to help low and middle-income seniors pay for home heating oil; 
> a sales tax holiday for consumers who buy energy efficient appliances 
> like air conditioners and ceiling fans; a sales tax moratorium on 
> energy efficient boilers, furnaces, hot water heaters, windows, doors, 
> and insulation products; and elimination of the excise tax on 
> fuel-efficient vehicles. A spokeswoman for Jones said the legislation 
> is a long-term plan for helping residents deal with the soaring costs 
> of energy.

this next part is hokey and would discourage energy conservation and 
use of mass transit, carpooling, and other environmentally friendly 
actions.  Note the lack of any support for improving accessibility, 
affordability and quality of mass transit.

> Last week, Jones proposed what he called a short-term solution to the 
> problem of rapidly rising gas prices. Gas prices are now surpassing 
> the $3 per gallon mark in many parts of the state and country. Jones 
> filed a bill last week that would suspend the state’s gas tax until 
> Dec. 31 of this year. Romney last Thursday said he opposed suspending 
> the gas tax as a long-term solution, but his aides later said "he'd be 
> hard pressed to veto" a three-month suspension of the 
> 21-cent-per-gallon tax, given his general advocacy for tax relief, 
> including an income tax cut, and the difficulty of getting a tax cut 
> through the Democrat-controlled Legislature.  Romney aides also said 
> he was not aware of the Jones proposal when he was asked about the 
> wisdom of a gas tax holiday. Jones will hold a press availability when 
> he files his energy bill this week.