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GM Responds to News Stories About Gas Tax Increases

21 October 1997

General Motors Statement in Response to Wire Story Reports

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The following statement was issued by
General Motors in response to wire story reports that GM supports a
50 cent per gallon gasoline tax increase.  It may be attributed to William H.
Noack, GM Director of Public Policy Communications:

    GM has long favored allowing the market to sort out the transportation
needs of American consumers.  To the extent, however, that environmental or
other public policy considerations indicate that steps should be taken to
reduce gasoline consumption, we believe increasing the cost of driving is
preferable to regulatory mechanisms such as increased federal fuel economy
standards.

SOURCE  General Motors