Lots of Americans appreciated Donald Trump’s insurance policies however didn’t like him.
Lots of Americans, albeit fewer than earlier than, nonetheless like Joe Biden, however don’t like his insurance policies.
And it’s his insurance policies which are dragging him down, even in die-hard Democrat Massachusetts.
Joe Biden’s try and briefly droop the federal fuel tax is a living proof. He will get extra help for his plan from Massachusetts Republicans than he does from fellow Democrats.
Hardly had he uttered the phrases calling for a suspension of the 18-cent a gallon tax in a feeble effort to take care of hovering fuel costs — and assist Democrats beat back a pending Republican takeover of Congress — then it was shot down by fellow Washington Democrats.
This included opposition from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.
And Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky referred to as Biden’s plan “a silly proposal that members of his own party have already shot down.”
Talk about useless on arrival. This plan was useless on supply.
Opposition to the thought was primarily based on the understanding that the loss tax income must be made up elsewhere, that it might present solely restricted reduction and that the oil firms would reap extra earnings.
President Barack Obama had referred to as the thought “a gimmick” when he was president.
Adding to the president’s drawback was his further proposal that the states observe his lead and droop state fuel taxes as properly.
This in Massachusetts would have meant a saving of 42 cents a gallon — 18 cents in federal taxes and 24 within the state fuel tax.
While it was not a lot when fuel is round $5 a gallon, it was no less than one thing.
But this too landed with a thud, even in pro-Biden, closely Democrat and progressive Massachusetts.
The solely help Biden acquired for his plan was from Republicans, not Democrats.
House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, each Democrats and each lengthy against suspending the state fuel tax, additionally opposed Biden’s plan.
In a joint assertion that set the tone for the Democrat-controlled Legislature, in addition to the state Democrat Party, they mentioned a suspension would offer little reduction however “will mostly mean more money for oil companies.”
“This isn’t fair, and we are not interested in benefiting multinational corporations while our residents continue to feel pain at the pump,” they mentioned. Without naming specifics, they added they might work “diligently to find ways to deliver direct relief to residents.”
In a wierd twist, the one help Biden acquired for his fuel tax reduction proposal was from outgoing Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and the 2 Republicans operating to succeed him, Geoff Diehl and Chris Doughty.
Attorney General Maura Healey, now the lone Democrat operating for governor after state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz dropped out Thursday, has not issued any assertion of help for Biden’s plan.
Baker, who has proposed $700 million in tax cuts, mentioned, “There is more than enough funding available to suspend the gas tax, pass our tax relief plan and invest in Massachusetts’ future.”
Diehl, who led the profitable 2014 referendum marketing campaign towards tying the state fuel tax to inflation, mentioned the levy “affects middle- and low-income families the most” and ought to be suspended.
Doughty, additionally in favor of suspension, challenged Healy to signal a petition calling for a hiatus within the assortment of the state fuel tax. She didn’t.
What is comes right down to is that Biden has extra help on the problem from main Massachusetts Republicans than he does from main Massachusetts Democrats. Who knew?
The Democrats nonetheless like Joe Biden, although, solely not a lot.
Peter Lucas is a veteran Massachusetts political reporter and columnist.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”