September 2009

{Hon. Richard Lugar}
{306 Hart Senate Office Building}
{Washington, D.C. 20510}

{Hon. Evan Bayh}
{131 Russell Senate Office Building}
{Washington, D.C. 20510}

The Honorable (Senator Richard Lugar) (Senator Evan Bayh);

Indiana cannot afford to lose more jobs. Hoosiers are struggling to feed their families during this difficult time in our economy and the passage of the Cap and Trade bill will only create more hardship in our state.

I support a bill that can help our nation deliver affordable and reliable supplies of electricity, food and energy, however, the current legislation creates higher costs for these necessities. I also support wise investments that diversify our nation’s energy portfolio and make our country more energy efficient and independent. The current bill will do just the opposite -- it will increase our dependence on foreign oil as it will force American oil companies out of business.

In the interest of protecting the price of fuel for farmers and the average American family while saving Hoosier jobs, I urge you to vote no on the Cap and Trade Energy Tax.

I understand that dealing with energy and environmental problems are complicated and will take time to overcome. However, passing the current Cap and Trade bill will not solve our energy problems or help the environment. Voting on the bill in haste will send Indiana into an economic depression where Hoosiers pay double electric bills, lose industry jobs, pay unprecedented prices for food due to the increased cost to farmers, and lose mining jobs that may never return. Indiana simply cannot take such a risk.

In this time of economic vulnerability, I ask for you to take a stance and protect Hoosiers from this terrible bill and vote no on Cap and Trade. To working Americans, this is about survival.

Sincerely,