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Sacramento, California (AP) —California drivers pay more than $ 6 for a gallon of gasoline, state officials get stuck for months on how to provide relief, and on Monday, state legislature lawmakers said they were “abusing.” Announced that it will investigate an oil company. The historic situation of profiting from the wallet of Californians. “
Parliamentary Speaker Anthony Lendon announces a bipartisan committee investigating gas price surges, asking oil companies, regulators and economists to find out why California’s gas prices are consistently the highest in the country. I made a plan to do it.
California’s gasoline prices are currently the highest in the United States, with an average price per gallon on Monday at $ 6.40 compared to the national average of $ 4.98.
“We’re in a situation because we rely on gas-powered engines. Still, it puts our feet on our necks and puts our hands in our pockets in California. It’s not an excuse for the actions of those who fix the driver, “Rendon said.
Republicans ridiculed the investigation on Monday and accused Democrats of record high gas prices in California as they refused to temporarily suspend taxation on gasoline as other states did to control costs. did.Democratic President Joe Biden said Monday he was considering a temporary suspension. Federal gas taxA move that can save 18.4 cents of drivers per gallon.
“Are Sacramento Democrats setting up a committee instead of suspending the state’s petrol tax?” Said Vince Fong, vice chairman of the Republican Parliamentary Budget Committee. “Political disgust is enough. Suspend the petrol tax now.”
Democrats in California say they fear that the suspension of the gasoline tax will only benefit major oil companies.
Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association, agreed that Californians are paying a lot of money for fuel, unless state officials “responsible and act to keep the risk unchanged. It could get worse. ” A combination of bans, obligations, and bad energy policies that they impose on our state. “
“This parliament and governor need to urgently address these policy issues, rather than holding a press conference that repeatedly discovers that our industry is acting responsibly,” Reheis said. -Boyd said.
California’s gasoline prices have historically been one of the highest in the country, previously by state officials, including an investigation by former Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who was indignant when he reached $ 1.71 per gallon in San Francisco in 1999. Encouraged the number of investigations and inquiries.
According to the California Energy Commission, state, local, and federal taxes are 85 cents per gallon of gas sold in the state, with crude oil, distribution, marketing, and profit costs occupying everything else. ..
but, 2019 Review According to state regulators, major oil companies are “misleading and overcharging” customers by as much as $ 1 a gallon, and California drivers are $ 11.6 billion more in five years compared to other states. I’m paying with a pump.
Governor Gavin Newsom sought an investigation by the Attorney General of the State. The investigation is still pending after almost three years.
Instead of suspending the fuel tax, the California Democratic Party wants to take advantage of the state’s record $ 100 billion budget surplus to send money directly to taxpayers to offset high fuel prices. .. But nothing has happened yet, as the Democrats who rule the legislature couldn’t agree with Newsom on how to do it.
Democratic chairman Rendon said legislative leaders made progress over the weekend during a marathon negotiation session with the Newsom administration. But “I’m not ready to announce it yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, Republicans held a press conference last week to commemorate the 100th day after the Democratic Party vowed to take action to deal with rising gas prices. Republicans don’t have enough seats in Congress to pass the bill themselves.
Republican Rep. James Gallagher said, “We are still waiting without any relief.” “I need action now.”
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