House Republican Pits Bloomberg Against Spitzer on Climate
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WASHINGTON — Perhaps with a hint of political mischief in mind, a senior House Republican chastised Governor Spitzer yesterday over his split with Mayor Bloomberg on a proposal to combat climate change.
In testimony before a congressional committee on global warming, the governor described the state’s efforts to enact a “cap and trade program” to limit carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and he endorsed a proposal to enact a federal program along the same lines. Many Democrats also support the idea, and Senator Clinton recently made it a part of her campaign platform.
Mayor Bloomberg, however, recently endorsed a competing proposal to institute a direct tax on carbon emissions. The tax seeks the same result but is considered less politically palatable than a cap and trade program, which creates a market to auction off carbon credits.
Noting the policy difference, the ranking Republican on the committee, Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, took Mr. Spitzer to task for supporting what he characterized as a tax in disguise. “What you’ve just described is a politician’s dream,” he said. “It’s a tax that no politician has to vote for.”
Mr. Sensenbrenner said he didn’t agree with Mr. Bloomberg on the issue, but he added: “At least he’s honest and direct.”