Dodging Davis can't dodge his record of raising oil tax

BOONEVILLE (Tuesday, May 6, 2008) – On the heels of the announcement that  Dick Cheney ,  Halliburton 's Big Oil man in Washington, will campaign in North Mississippi for Greg Davis, we're reminded again that Davis sides with Big Oil at the expense of middle class Mississippians. 

Here is the latest dodge by Davis, a candidate for Mississippi's 1st District seat in Congress, who will do whatever it takes to avoid telling the truth about his record of raising taxes: In the Mississippi Legislature, Davis voted to raise a tax on a barrel of oil produced in Mississippi by a staggering 71 percent. 

“Middle class families in North Mississippi, who are struggling to pay $3.50 a gallon at the pump can't afford another politician like Greg Davis who refuses to tell the truth about his own record on raising taxes,” said Terry R. Cassreino, press secretary for the Travis Childers campaign.

“Greg Davis' values aren't North Mississippi values. Davis votes to raise an oil tax, takes big money from Big Oil special interests, and is now bringing Dick Cheney – Halliburton 's Big Oil man in Washington – to campaign for him in Mississippi .”

Background

• Greg Davis's “yea” vote on SB 2473 allowed the State Oil and Gas Board to increase taxes on a barrel of oil produced in Mississippi from 35 mills to 60 mills, which translates into a 71 percent increase [SB2473, 3/05/97; http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/53/001/0073.htm ]

• According to AAA, drivers in Mississippi are currently paying an average price of $3.50 per gallon at the pump [ http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/sbsavg.asp ]

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