One of the Gulf Coast’s unforgettable contributions to politics came in 1992 when Louisiana native James Carville summed up voters’ concern in four words: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
The Democrat strategist made sure his guy, Bill Clinton, never lost focus on the message. Carville’s maxim spread like a contagion, compelling both Democratic and Republican operatives to rewrite their campaign playbooks. It seemed every candidate of every stripe was pledging to voters their allegiance to keeping the economy humming.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are again thrusting the Gulf Coast into the maelstrom of politics. By punishing pipelines and damaging refineries, the natural disasters are forcing Americans to confront their energy use as they pay skyrocketing prices for gasoline, diesel and other fuel.
Frustration is rising, and politicians are struggling for a measured response – one that promotes opportunity, not opportunism.
It’s not going so well in Congress. Republicans want to expand oil drilling in Alaska and waive environmental rules for oil refineries. Democrats are waging a rhetorical battle against Big Oil with repeated claims of price gouging.
Washington state lawmakers are getting into the debate.
House Republican leaders waded in first, urging suspension of the state gas tax until December. A little relief is better than none, they said, predicting that prices would drop by then. The ink had barely dried on the news release when Gov. Christine Gregoire rejected the idea.
Then came Rita, and gasoline got more costly – again.
Senate Republicans articulated a wide-ranging agenda to reduce reliance on oil and increase use of alternative fuels and energy.
Their list included the impossible (a new oil refinery in Hoquiam); the desirable (a cap on the public utility tax); and the probable (extending and expanding tax exemptions for equipment used to generate renewable electricity).
They had other ideas, but ultimately it’s up to the Democrats, who hold the Legislative majority and the governor’s seat. They will decide what, if anything, happens.
To this point, Gregoire and party leaders have not acquitted themselves well on the issue. They produced a plan that called for hearings to solicit ideas from the public. There’s one at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle.
Two area Democrats insist that much more is going on behind the scenes and pledge a furious and fruitful pace when legislators return in January.
Rep. Hans Dunshee, D- Snohomish, insisted that in the first week lawmakers will jump-start the biodiesel industry with a $3 million investment. Quick action could net millions of gallons by next fall.
Rep. Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo, said he’ll push again for tax credits and incentives for schools and businesses using alternative fuels. Three bills that he introduced last year all died.
Energy is the top concern of 2006. Plainly stated: “It’s the fuel price, fool.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield’s column on politics runs every Sunday. He can be reached at 360-352-8623 or cornfield@heraldnet.com.
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