Staff Reports
Gas prices can be a roller coaster ride, but this week, they seem to be taking a downward plunge, dropping the average price for a gallon of regular gas to $3.374. Just yesterday, it was a tad higher at $3.387, but thankfully for the American driver, prices dropped consistently throughout the week. While some might be tempted to pat the current administration on the back, they shouldn’t forget the stark contrast to what gas prices looked like under Donald Trump’s presidency.
As the 2024 presidential election looms, the cost of gas is becoming a hot-button issue. With Joe Biden deciding to bow out of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, will have to come to grips with how to manage soaring energy costs, a topic that resonates deeply with everyday Americans trying to make ends meet. The Democrats will need more than just a good PR campaign to convince voters that they can tackle gas prices effectively.
However, a silver lining exists for some states. Most Americans are seeing a decrease in gas prices, though those rates still stand in stark contrast to the under $2 per gallon experienced during Trump’s time in office. But let’s not forget how some states have fared better than others when it comes to fueling up. For example, Illinois is still in a tough spot, averaging $3.717 per gallon. That figure recently dropped from $3.737, but it’s hardly a reason to celebrate—especially when the Democratic National Convention was in town this week, where attendees surely faced some cringe-worthy prices at the pump.
Heading to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. offers its citizens a trifling drop to $3.631 per gallon. This is still well above the national average, which serves only to highlight the disparities Democrats have created in energy policy. Static prices around D.C. can make one wonder if lawmakers ever actually pump their own gas. It’s hard to believe that gas was only $3.722 a month ago, solidifying the suspicion that the Capitol is living in a different economic reality.
Gas prices: Another day of decreases at the pumps to end the work week https://t.co/ecPkSJ5Biz
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 23, 2024
In contrast, places like Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are finally seeing some price relief. For instance, Delaware has lowered costs to an average of $3.214 from $3.24 just the day before. Maryland is not too far behind with an average price of $3.303, a drop from $3.329 on Thursday. It’s a refreshing sight to see these states making significant strides in gas pricing, likely due to some much-needed competition among suppliers. Virginia holds its own by keeping prices reasonably low at $3.249, though one can’t help but wonder how long this can last if energy policy doesn’t change.
Of course, every data point has its outliers. Hawaii remains the unfortunate champion of high gas prices, averaging a staggering $4.657, thanks in part to its geographical isolation and high taxes. Meanwhile, Mississippi maintains its position as the king of cheap fuel with prices at a mere $2.921. One can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy, knowing that some states are living in such pricing paradise while the gas prices in other areas continue to defy common sense. The disparity underscores how local policies and regulation can greatly affect everyday Americans’ budgets, especially as the election draws nearer.
