PROGRESSIVE TAXATION AND OIL PROFITS

WHEREAS, profits of oil companies are at historical record highs; and

WHEREAS, state revenues are insufficient to adequately fund basic needs of education, health, and welfare; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania and local communities have resorted mainly to regressive taxation to fund social needs, (i.e., wage, sales, and property taxes); and

WHEREAS, this tax policy has placed the heaviest burden on working people, consumers, and single home owners:

RESOLVED, that the AFT go on record for a tax on the oil industry and/or oil production with no new taxes to be passed on to the consumer; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT Legislative Committee conduct a statewide campaign among its locals, other unions, consumer groups and community organizations to enact such legislation in Pennsylvania as has been passed in Connecticut which prohibits oil firms from passing such taxes on to the public.