Gov. Jim Doyle called for President Bush and Congress to take action and cap the large profits of oil companies by launching a joint petition with the state of Michigan Monday. Doyle and lawmakers acted in response to companies announcing record profits earned last week.
According to a statement, Doyle said oil companies make an average of $300 million of profit per day.\
Matt Canter, Doyle's deputy communications director, said the petition demands the elimination of $10 billion in taxpayer subsidies that oil companies clearly do not need, based on their first quarter profits of $8.4 billion.
""[The governor] has no problem with oil companies making profit, that's what companies are supposed to do,"" Canter said. ""But when it's hurting families because of the high price of gasoline, [then it] is a problem.""
Doyle joined 15 governors from across the nation in urging President Bush to take action against oil companies after they announced record profits last week.
Because gas prices keep climbing, Julie Maryott-Walsh, Madison Metro's marketing and customer services manager, said the transit system has seen an increase in ridership starting last year. She said the trend has carried through to 2006.
Maryott-Walsh added that ridership through March is up 8.3 percent compared to last year at this time. Madison Metro is not discussing an increase in fares despite rising gas prices, Walsh said.
""Every consumer in Wisconsin is worried about gas prices,"" state Rep. Josh Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, said in a statement. ""It's our job to step in and make sure our residents aren't taken advantage of by big oil.""
Kristin Zupek, a UW-Madison junior, said she is not driving any less regardless of high gas prices because of work commitments.
""It's outrageous, because as regular citizens, what can we do about it?"" Zupek said. ""We are slaves to our own demand.""
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