Dr Sylvester Johnson http://www.federalcarbontax.org. of upstate New
York, has launched a campaign to urge local goverments to pass
resolutions advocating the enactment of a federal carbon tax. He has
led the effort to get such resolutions passed in the City and Town of
Ithaca in New York State and is working on Tompkins County. He has
placed ads at his own expense in four major political magazines.

Sylvester Johnson, Ph.D. Applied Physics
Coordinator of the Initiative for resolutions by local governments in
support of a federal carbon tax
607-539-6193, info@...


<<Initiative

Advocates are being sought nationwide for this Initiative to pass
resolutions by local governments in support of a federal carbon tax-
and-refund. Broad-based support is possible based on the following
understanding:
Whether the next President is Republican or Democrat,
legislation is likely to be enacted to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
The debate between a tax and emissions trading may seem remote from
daily life, but the outcome will affect all Americans.
Emissions trading acts like a covert tax as the costs are
passed on to the consumer. However an actual tax is less expensive
because it's simpler, as well as less readily abused and more
effective. A tax-and-refund is better for the economy and more
equitable, with the majority or all of revenues refunded. The
benefits of the refund provide strong incentives for both consumer
and business groups to lobby for it to be made.
Here is a method for making a federal carbon tax politically
possible:
A resolution in support was drafted in December 2007. In
January 2008 the resolution passed the Planning Committee of the City
of Ithaca, New York. In February the resolution passed Ithaca's
Council, only two months after the resolution was first drafted.
The City sent copies of the resolution to officials
representing Ithaca at state and national levels, as well as to the
U.S. Conference of Mayors, sending a signal that a carbon tax could
become politically possible. Subsequently the Town of Ithaca passed a
resolution, then forwarded copies to officials. The County of
Tompkins is now considering a resolution. As more local governments
pass such resolutions, the increasing size of the Initiative will
bring greater public attention to the benefits of the tax and inspire
the introduction of more resolutions. News of further passages is at
Resolutions Passed.
After passage, the resolution requires no further commitment
on the part of the advocate or the local government. Yet this
relatively easy action publicizes the advantages of a tax-and-refund.
This method is the political equivalent of turning lead to gold.
Volunteering is part-time and short term, contacting
officials to get the resolution on the local agenda until it comes up
for a vote. The only training required is reading the background
information and model resolution. No monetary donations are needed.
Could you volunteer say an average of an hour a week to work
with a city, town, or county government on this Initiative for a few
months? Do you know anyone who might, anywhere in the nation? Please
check out federalcarbontax.org or forward this email. The coordinator
of the Initiative, Sylvester Johnson, Ph.D. Applied Physics, can be
contacted for free email or phone consultation.>>

http://www.federalcarbontax.org

http://www.climatehealth.net/Outreach.html