Cutting gas tax isn't best option

Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton are off the mark with their plans for a summer gas tax holiday. It's also unlikely such a proposal can even be passed in Washington this spring.

The latest twist in Clinton's proposal - perhaps because her campaign can't find an economist who says the tax holiday makes any sense? - would force oil companies to finance the loss of revenue. Hmm. Wouldn't that cost just be passed on to consumers like other government-mandated costs of doing business?

Likewise, the plan by gubernatorial candidates Jim Schellinger and Jill Long Thompson to curb Indiana's sales tax on gasoline is not in the best interests of Hoosiers or the state.

Neither plan would leave much additional money in our pockets.

Neither plan would encourage us to change our buying and driving habits.

And neither plan would force lawmakers to reform our energy policy and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

If consumers want to spend less of their money on gas, they'll buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. They'll walk and ride their bikes more. They'll make better use of the trips they make. They'll buy gas where it's cheaper, should their travels allow.

Expecting government to step in and resolve the problem by lowering or eliminating gasoline taxes is not the answer. To do so would take away revenue for much needed repairs to our roads and bridges and likely result in the laying off of road workers. Fuel taxes are one of the fairest, most clear-cut levies on Americans. Proceeds from what is essentially a user tax finance construction and repairs to the roads and bridges that we use.

Instead, lawmakers should focus on encouraging more investment in adding and expanding U.S. oil refineries, allowing more drilling of oil in the United States and encouraging and permitting more nuclear power plants.

Pandering for votes isn't the answer.