    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [February 15, 1993]
    [Page 104]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Democratic Congressional
    Leaders
    February 15, 1993

    Energy Tax

        Q. Mr. President, if I could ask a specific question. What is----
        The President. I may not give you a specific answer. [Laughter]
        Q. You don't have to get into too much detail, but from your
    perspective what's more progressive, a broad-based energy tax based on
    Btu's or an ad valorem type of energy tax? What would be more
    progressive for the middle class?
        The President. Well, I think, first of all, you can't evaluate one
    of these things without seeing the whole package. But I think a Btu tax
    is, because an ad valorem tax reinforces price changes. In other words,
    if you have an ad valorem tax and the price of one fuel goes up, then
    the tax rate goes up. So, it would aggravate whatever price changes are
    out there in the market, and that would hurt the consumers more.
         Q.  Have you settled on a Btu tax?
        The President. I answered a very specific question in a photo op.
    [Laughter]

    Note: The exchange began at 1:45 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the White
    House.