Today I announced alongside New Hampshire Transportation Commissioner George Campbell in Concord that I will introduce legislation when I return to Washington to help commuters struggling with record high gas prices.

My legislation would create a tax credit for businesses for fifty percent of any amount they pay to their employees as part of a reimbursement program for carpooling to work.  It will also allow state and local governments to participate as well, and they would receive additional annual funding for programs that encourage carpooling to the office.

On average, New Hampshire families are paying $3.88 for a gallon of regular gasoline, which is up from just $3 a gallon one year ago. Diesel prices have also skyrocketed up to $4.78 from just $2.80 per gallon a year ago. And often commuters in New Hampshire spend up to $3,000 per year on commuting to work and with skyrocketing gas prices that number is just increasing.

We must do more to help New Hampshire commuters who often have to drive more than 20 or 30 miles just to get the office. With record high gas prices, New Hampshire commuters are spending more of their paycheck just to get to work.

Providing more incentives for carpooling will help New Hampshire commuters save on record high prices, improve our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil that is hurting our economy and jeopardizing our national security.

In New Hampshire, RideShare, a carpool matching service, with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation has recently seen demand for their service increase due to the rising cost of gas. Eight-six new commuters joined the program in April alone. The total number using the service is 1,240 New Hampshire commuters.

With soaring gas prices and oil companies earning record profits, commuters shouldn’t have to spend more of their hard earned paycheck just to earn one.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 3:01 pm and is filed under Politics, Economy/Budget .