Inflation: How Much Did You Spend? Food? Gas/petrol? Diesel?

[Sue (Ayt)]

Today I paid $3.47 a gallon at the pump (regular).

Has me wondering if the prices in California are still so high, and if there is a difference in general between the blue vs. red states gas prices in the US?

[Ravenlocke]

It’s $4.76 a gallon (regular) in Southern Oregon. Premium is over $5

[Sue (Ayt)]

Posted by Sue (Ayt) (here)
Today I paid $3.47 a gallon at the pump (regular).

Has me wondering if the prices in California are still so high, and if there is a difference in general between the blue vs. red states gas prices in the US?

Well, ai answered my question, so yeah...

Gasoline is generally cheaper in Republican-led states due to lower state-level fuel taxes, closer proximity to oil refineries, and fewer environmental regulations that add cost to fuel production. These states, often in the South and Midwest, minimize transportation costs and avoid the higher taxes used by Democratic states to fund infrastructure and green initiatives.
Reddit
+4
Key Reasons for Lower Gas Prices in Republican States:
Lower Taxes: Republican-led states tend to impose lower gasoline taxes, with residents often paying around
29.2 cents per gallon in taxes compared to
37.1 cents in Democratic-led states,.

Proximity to Refineries: Many of these states are located near Gulf Coast oil production and refining resources, reducing the cost of transportation, according to 1.

Regulatory Environment: Fewer, or less stringent, state-specific environmental regulations (like specialized fuel blends) reduce production costs and retail prices.
Lower Cost of Living: Generally lower operating costs for gas stations in these regions often contribute to a lower cost of living and, by extension, lower fuel prices.

[ThePythonicCow]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
Meanwhile, in Ecuador, gasoline/petrol is now $3.02 per gallon, with dlesel $2.96. This is still super-cheap compared to most other countries, but a few days ago it crept up again by a second increment of 10 cents..

In my North Texas town, gas is about $3.00 to $3.30 per gallon.

[shaberon]

Posted by Sue (Ayt) (here)
Gasoline is generally cheaper in Republican-led states due to lower state-level fuel taxes, closer proximity to oil refineries, and fewer environmental regulations that add cost to fuel production. These states, often in the South and Midwest, minimize transportation costs and avoid the higher taxes used by Democratic states to fund infrastructure and green initiatives.
Reddit
+4
Key Reasons for Lower Gas Prices in Republican States:
Lower Taxes: Republican-led states tend to impose lower gasoline taxes, with residents often paying around
29.2 cents per gallon in taxes compared to
37.1 cents in Democratic-led states,.

Hard to say exactly what this means. I would generally be considered to be in a Republican State, federally and/or Congress, but usually are led by a Democratic Governor, at 40.1 cents.

State taxation issues are their own business.

Proximity to Refineries: Many of these states are located near Gulf Coast oil production and refining resources, reducing the cost of transportation, according to 1.

That's just the cost, not the taxes. Try looking at Hawaii as a representative state of anything. Shipping costs are around triple of anything on the mainland.

Regulatory Environment: Fewer, or less stringent, state-specific environmental regulations (like specialized fuel blends) reduce production costs and retail prices.
Lower Cost of Living: Generally lower operating costs for gas stations in these regions often contribute to a lower cost of living and, by extension, lower fuel prices.

The use of Ethanol is from the federal corn subsidy, and it is not good for engines.

The idea is to lower the cost of living. In this sense, you are better off being close to the refineries. Northerners have been coming here for ages just because it's cheaper.


As of right now our gas dropped about a nickel or so. Still at an outrageous level for the wrong reason.

[shaberon]

Although they sowed this with the East India Company, now they reap thanks to the rebel colonies:

A recent survey reveals that UK retailers have experienced the sharpest year-on-year decline in sales in more than four decades, driven by the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, which has heightened inflation fears among shoppers.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conducted the survey based on responses from 61 retail chains, collected between March 26 and April 14.

The CBI’s monthly retail sales volume balance plunged to -68 in April, down from -52 in March — its lowest reading since the series began in 1983.

Expectations for May have also worsened, falling to -60 from -49, marking the gloomiest outlook since the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2021.

The employers’ organization has already urged the British government to avoid new employee rights legislation that would excessively raise employers’ costs, while calling for reductions in business rates (property taxes) and electricity bills.

“Some retailers reported that weak consumer confidence was weighing on spending in April,” the CBI stated.

Martin Sartorius, a CBI economist, said firms are looking to the government to address the ongoing financial pressures.

“With the economic impact of the Iran conflict becoming clearer, firms will be looking to government to recognize that easing cost-of-living pressures depends on tackling the cost of doing business,” Sartorius said.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to chair a meeting on Tuesday to assess the impact of the US-Israeli war against Iran on the UK economy.

Representatives from the Bank of England and the government’s emergency response committee (COBRA) are expected to attend.

“Tomorrow I’m chairing a meeting of COBRA on the impact [of the war], bringing in people from the Bank of England, so that you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis,” Starmer told trade union members on Monday.

“I have to level with you about Iran, because the truth is, the economic consequences could still be with us for some time,” he added, citing rising fuel prices as a clear example.

These developments follow the US-Israeli aggression, which has disrupted global markets, triggered sharp increases in fuel prices, and fueled food inflation worldwide.

The war continues to expose the vulnerabilities of Western economies to the consequences of their own aggressive policies in the West Asia region.

[Dilettante]

Midgrade gas in my neck of the woods in Colorado is about $4.89. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Looking at the crude oil futures (priced by the barrel), we've doubled in price this year!