In August 1979, Rep. John Anderson (IL) called for a 50-cent-per gallon energy conservation tax on motor vehicle fuels to reduce consumption and dependence on foreign oil. He proposed using the revenues from the tax to reduce payroll taxes by 50 percent, increase Social Security benefits, compensate those who were not on a payroll and thus not subject to the payroll tax, exempt farmers and allow tax credits for businesses "unfairly penalized."
Older folks (like me) might remember John Anderson as the Republican congressman from Illinois who was an independent candidate for U.S. president in the 1980 election. What a gutsy guy! Gasoline was about $1 a gallon back then so he was calling for a 50% increase in the price of gasoline.
The Green Tax Shift idea has been around for a while.
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