CLEVELAND, Updated 10:00 p.m. EDT June 19, 2000 -- Gas prices soared to more than $3 a gallon in Chicago over the weekend, and one local congressman is doing everything he can to make sure that those prices don't hit Cleveland.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich says that he will introduce a three-part plan that will stop what he calls the "price gouging of Americans at the pump."

"The oil companies are making money here," Kucinich said. "We need to tax them right here at the refinery level, and a windfall profits tax at the refinery level will go a long way to showing the oil companies the American people do not have to take this lying down."

The windfall profits oil tax was first introduced in 1980. It made $40 billion off oil companies before it was repealed in 1988.

Kucinich says that the second part of his plan would reduce demand for gas in cleveland by offering free public transportation when prices rise above two bucks a gallon.

"If more people ride public transit, they can't sell as much so they'll forced to bring prices down," Kucinich told NewsChannel5's Matt Callinan.

The congressman's plan also calls for offering $40 billion in tax breaks to consumers who buy alternative fuel vehicles. If passed, it could cut the sticker price on alternative cars by several thousand dollars.

"This is hurting people," Kucinich said. "The public outcry is going to provide the impetus we need to spur Congress to take action."

Previous Stories:

• June 12, 2000: Gas In Midwest Costs More Than The Rest
• June 10, 2000: Businesses Affected By Soaring Gas Costs
• June 9, 2000: Gasoline Prices Keep Going Up
• June 7, 2000: Drivers Find Way To Avoid High Gas Prices
• June 3, 2000: Everyday Costs Affected By High Gas Prices
• May 26, 2000: Gas Prices Will Not Deter Holiday Travel
• April 11, 2000: Gas And Dash Increases With Fuel Prices
• March 11, 2000: Sick Of High Gas Prices? Ride The Bus
• February 29, 2000: Sick Of High Gas Prices? Buy An Electric Car
• February 28, 2000: Sick Of High Gas Prices? Buy An Electric Car
• February 17, 2000: Gas Prices Go Up 20 Cents Overnight!
• December 22, 1999: Grinch Causes Gas Prices To Increase
• December 10, 1999: Gas Prices -- They're Down A Bit
• November 22, 1999: Gas Prices Up For Thanksgiving Travel
• October 6, 1999: Gas Prices Have Gone Up Since February
• September 22, 1999: Fill 'Er Up; Well, Maybe Half Way
• March 22, 1999: Gas Prices Back On The Rise