CONCERNED CITIZENS GATHER FOR VISIBILITY ON HIGH GAS PRICES AND SUNUNU'S RECORD PROTECTING TAX BREAKS FOR BIG OIL

Exxon Mobil announced today it earned $10.9 billion in profits this quarter; Sununu has fought to protect tax breaks for the oil and gas companies.

(Manchester, NH) - A group of concerned citizens gathered in Manchester today for a unique visibility to spread awareness about the high price of gas and Senator John E. Sununu's record of protecting $13 billion in tax breaks for oil and gas companies. Eleven citizens spread out along Elm Street, each holding a sign telling a different part of the message, similar to the old Burma Shave advertisements.

"New Hampshire families are paying record prices at the pump, but John Sununu is busy in Washington fighting to protect billions of dollars in tax breaks for oil and gas companies," said Alex Reese, press secretary for the NHDP's Coordinated Campaign. "Middle class New Hampshire families are hurting, but Sununu's priority is to subsidize Big Oil with our tax dollars, even while oil companies are making record profits. Enough is enough."

The group of concerned citizens gathered to spread awareness about Sununu's record standing up for oil and gas companies. The group spread out down Elm Street in front of the gas station across from Sununu's office and held a series of signs that read as follows:

1. You Just Paid

2. $3.54 per Gallon

3. John Sununu Gave

4. $13 billion

5. That's 13,

6. 000,

7. 000,

8. 000 dollars

9. in Your Tax Money

10. to Big Oil

11. Had Enough?

Today, Exxon Mobil announced yet another quarter of sky high profits. The oil giant raked in $10.9 billion in profit last quarter, the second biggest U.S. quarterly profit ever. [Associated Press, 5/1/08]

Despite record-breaking profits for oil and gas companies, Sununu cast the deciding vote just four months ago to protect over $13 billion in tax breaks for Big Oil instead of spending that money on tax breaks for renewable energy.[Senate Vote #425, 12/13/07]

In exchange, Sununu has accepted almost $200,000 in campaign donations from oil and gas companies, including $13,000 since his vote to protect their tax breaks four months ago. [Center for Responsive Politics - FEC Reports]

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