Patch Chat: A Slave to the Pump, the Rising Cost of Gas

As gas prices continue to rise putting—an increasing burden on the Americans already struggling in a different economy—legislators are working to reduce the high cost of oil.

in his weekly radio address he would take steps to open up more oil drilling in the United States, though some economic analysts says it won’t reduce gas prices.

U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey says she seeks to “end welfare for oil companies” by sponsoring legislation that would repeal taxpayer funded subsidies to oil companies that she says will save $12 million over the next 10 years.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is also calling for the elimination of loopholes that offer $21 billion in federal funding to subsidize oil companies—when the five largest oil companies report a 50 percent increase in earnings over last year. Click here for more information.

As the federal government seeks to lower gas prices, local legislators like Rockland County Legislator Ed Day (R-New City) are looking to find their own solutions. Day is looking to cap the Rockland County sales tax on gas at $2 a gallon to prevent people fro driving to New Jersey for gas where it could be about $.30 lower. Click for that story. 

What do you think?

• Is anything our government officials can do to reduce the cost of oil? What do you think they should be doing? What do you think about their current efforts to control gas costs?

• Where do you go to buy gas? Do you drive out of state to get gas, if so where? Where is the cheapest place to get gas locally?

• How is the high price of gas affecting you and your family?

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