California Needs to Lower Its Outrageous Gas Prices

I have developed paranoia when driving. I have never been so concerned about my gas tank as I have been lately, and now I’m obsessed with staring at my gas gauge in the hopes it doesn’t hit empty before I can afford to refill it.

The culprit is California’s outrageous gas prices, which have gone up significantly in the last few months.

My $20 that was once able to fill up five or six gallons barely reaches four now.

Last November, California voters failed to repeal the hefty gas tax put in place by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017, which raised prices by 12 cents to repair roads. And the price keeps increasing.

In May, California’s average gas price became the highest in the country at $4.05 per gallon, according to AAA, $1.20 more than the U.S. average. A study conducted by the state’s Energy Commission determined the increase was caused by refinery outages and possible “market manipulation.” Oil industry officials say the increase is because of market forces.

Either way, now we are stuck with rising prices that make it difficult to fill our cars.

The tax was put in place to assist in improving California roadways, but there has to be a better way because as a student, I can no longer afford these hellish gas prices.

The gas tax is something only the wealthy can afford.

Summer is my favorite time of the year, but I am dreading the summer because gas prices may reach $5 a gallon and will drain everyone’s wallets. How can I go anywhere when I’ll be spending my extra money saved for fun activities on gas to even get me there?

As frequent commuter between the City of Long Beach and wherever else those 20 miles are killing me, I obviously can’t ride my bike or a lime scooter to Long Beach from the City of Orange 40 miles there and back.

There are plenty of other things people can do to save the planet such as not littering to the plastic bag law and even the straw law. Citizens can even focus on solving issues of global warming and making better efforts at self conservation.

Let’s start there before going after California’s gas. The tax may boost the economy but it hurts the people living in the state who are middle class and living on low wages. Please stop hurting California drivers.

the gas tax only seems like something only the wealthy with their expensive sports cars and their shiny V8 range rovers can actually afford, but the wealthy aren’t the only ones living in California.

Plenty of citizens drive run-down Honda’s and beat-up SUVs.

I’m sick of driving on a near empty tank. I’m tired of avoiding gas stations because they’re too expensive.

This is a statewide issue, and state legislators need to act in the best interest of every Californian because we all can’t get to where we need to be with a flimsy bicycle.