By Tribune-Review

Published: Sunday, January 27, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

I continue to read stories about the state's Oil Company Franchise Tax, including Colin McNickle's column “‘Orwellian politspeak' on gas tax hike” (Jan. 20 and TribLIVE.com). I was a Sunoco gasoline dealer for 15 years.

With each gasoline delivery, we received an invoice that had a breakdown of the total cost. This would include line items for the gasoline, federal taxes and state taxes including the Oil Company Franchise Tax. This cost has always been passed on directly to the consumer as a component of the total cost to dealers. I am certain this is true today, after talking to current dealers.

If wholesalers are passing it on now, why would they stop after the tax is increased? It is a tax. Regardless of who pays it directly to the state, it is being paid for by the consumer today as a part of the pump price. It will continue to be paid for by the consumer if the levy is increased.

It is easy for politicians of both parties to fool “low-information voters” on such matters because they think it is just one more thing they get for free from “Santa Claus government.”

Jim Bezeredi

Forest Hills

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