To the editor:

Thank you to all North Carolina Senate representatives voting to increase the Gas Tax to a whopping 38.9 cents, an increase of 8 cents per gallon, after rejecting the North Carolina House vote to cap the gasoline tax at 35.0 cents. Even at 35.0 cents per gallon North Carolina had the highest gas tax in the nation only equaled by California.

The Senate declined to take up the House Bill, saying it wasn’t the right time to consider it. As far as I am concerned, there is no better time then now to keep the gas tax low. The decision by the Senate to raise the gas tax effects Scotland County citizens especially hard considering we lead the State in the highest unemployment with over 16%, have the highest taxes in the state and few plans for improving the local economy.

How can elected officials in good conscience burden the citizens they represent with more taxes when the economy is worse then ever? Why does government always need more money while its citizens have to cut back? Are we really being well served by our representatives if tax increases is all they can think off?

2012 gives us the opportunity to vote. Maybe we can find representatives who understand the negative impact tax increases have on the average citizen? Our representatives apparently have lost touch with the people.

Horst Hanak

Laurinburg