Himes Blasts Shays’ Praise for High Energy Costs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 16, 2008
Democrat Jim Himes Says Rising Energy Costs Have Hurt Families in Connecticut
STAMFORD, CT - Jim Himes, Democratic nominee for Congress, criticized Chris Shays today for praising the high energy costs that are hurting families in our district. At the "Transportation and the 21st Century" forum held in Westport, Shays said, "The irony of our high energy prices is that a lot of good things will come from it, even though we never should have gotten ourselves to this position."
"Driving in this morning, I saw that gas was $4.89 a gallon in Stamford. Chris Shays is out of touch if he thinks that's a good thing," said Himes. "The families I meet every day do not see anything good in rising gas prices. We have the most expensive gas in the nation, and that makes it even harder for families struggling with rising costs to make ends meet."
"This isn't the first time Chris Shays has been out of touch on gas prices. Shays even said recently that gas taxes should be higher," said Maura Keaney, Himes' campaign manager. "He is right about one thing, though - we never should have gotten ourselves into this position. When Jim is in Congress, he will provide leadership, rooted in real world experience, on energy, transportation, and the economy."
Background:
- Sixty-nine percent of American voters say rising gas prices are a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem for their families. (http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=1178)
- Connecticut has the highest gas prices in the nation. (AP, 6/16/08).
- Regular unleaded at the Shell station on West Broad Street in Stamford is priced at $4.89/gallon today.
- Chris Shays supports increased gas taxes. (New Haven Independent, 2/26/08).
- Chris Shays believes that transportation is an issue for state legislatures and not the U.S. Congress. (http://news.aol.com/elections-blog/2006/10/20/shays-farrell-debates-come-to-a-close)
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