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Drivers are feeling the pain of living in Southern California, as average gas prices have hit a new high of more than $6.30 a gallon.
The state legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have steadfastly rejected proposals to remove the 50-cent-per-gallon gas tax as other blue and red states have done. So the price continues to rise in auto-loving California.
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And while the national average is $3.79 a gallon, in Los Angeles, consumers will pay $6.46, compared to $4.41 a year ago. The price is $6.42 in Orange County and $6.39 in San Diego, AAA reported.
Pumping gas
“The regional differences in gas prices are stark at the moment, with prices on the West Coast hitting $6 a gallon and higher, while Texas and Gulf Coast states have prices dipping below $3 in some areas,” said Andrew Gross, a AAA spokesman. “At least six California refineries are undergoing maintenance, and there is limited pipeline supply to the West Coast from locations east of the Rockies.”
California uses a more expensive blend of gasoline during the summer that is less polluting to offset the additional driving by consumers. State officials have said they will revert back to regular gasoline a month ahead of schedule to combat rising prices, AAA said.
State Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, a Republican, has been a frequent critic of lawmakers who have not budged on their gas tax stance. He has repeatedly authored legislation to put a moratorium on gas taxes, but the bills have died in committee. Lawmakers have said the tax is needed to keep up freeway maintenance.
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“Newsom says oil companies are ‘ripping you off.’ It’s his government that is ripping us off. Californians pay the highest gas taxes and drive on the worst roads,” Kiley tweeted.
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Newsom has promised Californians a one-time payment of at least $1,000 to offset the high price of gas.
