Coloradans still feeling squeeze at the gas pumps

DENVER – Gas prices are going up. Oil companies are seeing record profits. And Big Oil Bob Schaffer voted to give oil companies billions of dollars in tax breaks. [HR 4, vote 320, 8/2/01]

While consumers continue to pay astronomical prices at the gas pumps, big oil executives were in Washington, DC on Tuesday defending their need for these tax breaks even after reporting record profits in 2007.

After six years of carrying water for Big Oil, including voting to give them $28 million in tax breaks while voting against investments in renewable energy, Bob Schaffer cashed in with a six-figure job as an oil and gas executive. So far, his big oil paycheck has totaled nearly $1 million. As he watches Coloradans being hit hard at the gas pumps, does he stand with the industry that writes his paycheck or with the Coloradans he seeks to represent in the U.S. Senate?

Pat Waak, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party today issued the following statement:

"Big Oil Bob Schaffer consistently stood with his oil industry buddies while in Congress. He was rewarded with thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and then a big oil paycheck when he quit Congress. Colorado families can't afford another oilman like Bob Schaffer in the Senate, supporting tax breaks for his big oil buddies that are seeing record-breaking profits while the rest of us struggle with the skyrocketing cost of gas."