California’s average gas price reached a record high of $5.90 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA.
Just last month, the state’s average gas price was $4.79. One year ago, the average price of gas in the state was $3.88, a full $2.02 less.
Nationwide, the average price of gas ($4.24) has increased by about 70 cents since Russia invaded Ukraine. But gas prices had already risen about a full $1.00 since President Joe Biden assumed office and waged war on American energy independence.
Biden says record high gas prices are an “opportunity” to “double down” on transitioning away from fossil fuels pic.twitter.com/H6ISmgiK0s
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 25, 2022
Throughout his first year in office, Biden has made it difficult for oil companies to gain financing to drill on private lands. Biden has also halted new drilling on public lands and terminated the Keystone pipeline project that would have transported vast amounts of oil to American refineries.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) proposed countering Biden’s high gas prices by handing out $400 direct payments per vehicle. The payments would be limited to two vehicles per family.
A food truck owner to CNN about #Bidenflation and the #BidenGasHike: “It just sucks” pic.twitter.com/rRt0NEsL2D
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 25, 2022
Gas prices are high in California because of higher fuel taxes and stricter red tape. As a result, the average driver in California is charged about $300 in excise gas tax each year, according to Newsom’s office.
Newsom’s plan to give money to drivers would entail $400 debit cards for registered vehicles, including electric-powered vehicles, perhaps to not reduce the incentive to purchase an expensive electric-powered car.
The scheme would cost $11 billion of taxpayers’ money, according to the Wall Street Journal. Newsom’s plan still must be approved by the state’s legislature.
Biden’s Treasury Secretary says gas prices really aren’t that high.
“They’re not as high in real terms as they were earlier in this century.” pic.twitter.com/wVqibcBqvu
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 25, 2022