Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour Says Cap-and-Trade Legislation Will Reduce Economic Growth

Lest anyone think that the cap-and-trade concept will receive a completely enthusiastic welcome in the U.S. Senate...

Mississippi Republican Gov. Haley Barbour, in testimony yesterday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said the Waxman-Markey energy bill will "drive down economic growth." According to Gov. Barbour:

"It is hard to believe that at a time when growing our economy is our number one priority, Congress is considering a bill that would reduce economic growth. When families are suffering because of a serious recession, Congress is considering a bill to drive up the cost of the electricity that cools those families' homes and the gasoline that runs their cars. As U.S. manufacturing faces stiff foreign competition, Congress is considering a bill that would make our manufacturers less competitive."

One thing that the governor did not talk about was his long-time lobbying (he was a professional, and quite successful, lobbyist before being elected governor) efforts on behalf of the Southern Company, a large electricity producer located in the southeast part of the country. Probably just an oversight on his part.