LAUTENBERG: 24 YEARS OF SUPPORTING HIGHER GAS PRICES

LAUTENBERG: 24 YEARS OF SUPPORTING HIGHER GAS PRICES

- Voted to increase the federal gas tax and has blocked lower gas taxes -

Flemington, NJ – Zimmer for U.S. Senate Campaign Manager Mark Duffy issued the following statement today in response to a press conference Senator Lautenberg held this afternoon:

“Frank Lautenberg continues to avoid debating Dick Zimmer on important issues such as gasoline prices and solutions to our nation’s energy crisis. In 24 years as a U.S. Senator, Lautenberg has done nothing to solve our nation’s energy problem. During his tenure it has gone from an energy crisis to an energy disaster. He can try to fool voters in an election year into believing that he will do something to solve our nation’s energy crisis, but the facts show a different story. Since he last ran in 2002, gas prices have skyrocketed 197%, costing New Jersey residents countless millions.

“Voters will not be fooled by election-year press conferences designed to mask Lautenberg’s record of supporting increases in the federal gas tax1. Frank Lautenberg has voted to increase the federal gas tax twice2, voted to extend gas tax increases3, and voted to block lower gas taxes five times4.

“New Jersey voters have to ask themselves if they can afford six more years of Frank Lautenberg.”

Since 2002 when Senator Lautenberg was last elected to the Senate the price of gasoline has increased dramatically. The average price of gas has increased from $1.36 per gallon in 2002 to the current amount of $4.04 per gallon.

Year

Unleaded Regular Motor Gasoline,

U.S. City Average Retail Price

(Nominal Cents per Gallon Including Taxes)

Percentage Increase over 2002 Average

2002 Average

1.358

2003 Average

1.591

17.16%

2004 Average

1.880