Collins on the Gas Tax Holiday

Sen. Collins breaks with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) over his gas tax holiday proposal. And on the merits, she's right.

[Rep. Michaud] said [House Transportation Committee] members are worried that the loss of revenue for highway programs would cost jobs and delay needed bridge and road repairs.

"I think we have to look at the long term," he said. "I think we have to look at real solutions, like regulating the trading of energy futures."

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she shares the concern that a suspension of taxes would adversely affect not only Maine but the entire country. But she said she will review all of the ideas being proposed.

"I would not support any measure that would direct funds away from our already ailing transportation infrastructure," she said. "More manageable fuel prices would be better achieved, for example, by halting the filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and repealing tax breaks for big oil companies, and redirecting the funding to consumers, both of which I have proposed."

Good for her.