From Michigan Democratic Party
LANSING – Republican Congressman Dan Benishek (MI-1) told a public forum in Petoskey “I think oil companies pay their fair share (of taxes).” (Petoskey News Review, August 24, 2011)
“How out of touch is Benishek?” asked Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “Doesn’t he know or care that in 2009 Exxon Mobil paid no taxes to the U.S. government? Doesn’t he know that despite record profits in the tens of billions of dollars oil companies are still receiving $4 billion a year in taxpayer subsidies?”
“I am sure Benishek knows he has received nearly $50,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry (opensecrets.org),” continued Brewer. “Perhaps that is why he defends their low or nonexistent taxes and excessive taxpayer subsidies in the face of their record profits.”
“The people of the 1st District deserve better than Benishek who is nothing more than a shill for Big Oil, one of his biggest contributors,” said Brewer. “They deserve a Member of Congress who will stand up to Big Oil, not defend them.”
