Column: With Platner, best to focus on the message, not just the messenger

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

I’ve heard only one clunker from Platner’s campaign, the energy plan released last week. It relies on repealing the federal gasoline tax and attempting to replace it with a “windfall profits tax” on oil producers, with more money from a proposed “billionaires tax.” This would be a policy disaster. The problem with the federal gas tax is not that we have it, but that it’s inadequate to maintain existing infrastructure, let alone build climate-friendly replacements. It should be increased, not abolished. ~ Douglas Rooks