Climate bill is a killer

Climate bill is a killer

EDITOR:

As I watch the debate unfold regarding climate change legislation, I am amazed at the lack of understanding on behalf of our politicians with respect to the economic ramifications if such irresponsible legislation should become law. With one stroke of a pen, this pending legislature could wipe out my business and it 25 jobs right here in the Youngstown area. We, along with our steel industry customers, can not compete on an international basis when we are fundamentally disadvantaged with yet another tax that we will have to cover in our pricing. We are already struggling to compete on a global basis given our higher wage rates and benefits in this country compared to other nations such as India and China.

The house climate bill, known as Waxman-Markey, is a tax in disguise, nothing more, nothing less. It will harm many small businesses and families like mine. An implicit tax increase is not a favorable solution to climate change — neither is artificially driving up energy costs at the beginning of the high cost winter season.

Many families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. Tax hikes and higher costs are the thing we need at this time. I call on Sens. George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown to take this into account should a bill come before them in the Senate. Now is the time for our elected officials to stand up for the hard working families of this state by opposing legislation.

TODD OLSON, owner

BOC Water Hydraulics Inc.

Salem