Gas Tax

It looks like our State Legislators are back on the job after the holiday. It’s a little unclear what the agenda is, but the consensus seems to be Republican shenanigans. It looks like the Legislature wants to pass through several controversial bills and overrides in this rare mini-session, hoping to catch opponents off guard.

Go read this.

Apparently economics 101 isn't required for being a presidential candidate.

With all the noise about the dreaded 2.8 cent increase in the gas tax, one group is actually telling the voters the truth. As Republicans and some Democratic lawmakers are holding fake hearings on the tax to gain votes, the Petroleum Marketers, of all people, are stating that the tax does not affect prices. From WRAL:

Many drivers think they'll save big if the legislature acts. But the executive director of the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association doesn’t agree.

There has been a lot of excited talk about the horrible oppression of the 2.8 cent increase in the tax on each gallon of gasoline. The media has been reporting ad nauseum on the possibility of a special session that will address the increase. The increase was not brought about by any legislation but the fact that the tax is a percentage of gas prices. Since prices spiked in the last six months, the tax "increased". Finally, the N&O is asking the relevant question:

How bad is your gas pain?