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Comment by princevegeta89 | Hacker News Reader

Yeah, this happens when you gouge gas prices from 3.5 bucks to 7 bucks for a gallon (Bay Area reference)

This also happens when some people buy big SUVs instead of cars.

No it doesn't. If everyone owned an SUV but drove less and used public transportation we'd be on the right track. Getting everyone in cars is a losing battle.

FYI, this is primarily because of state / local tax. Prices are in the 3-4 range in most other states.

Yeah that's just incorrect, taxes only account for [1] $1.40

[1] https://www.cbs8.com/article/traffic/gas-prices/gap-between-...

You're aware there's a little thing on the gas pump showing you a breakdown of the taxes, right?

They haven't changed recently.

I've actually never noticed. How up to date are they? Do they already take into account local sales tax increases that happened October 1? Or the statewide excise tax increase from July? (I'm at 3/4 of a tank, otherwise I'd check myself).

That's your city and state gouging you, not Saudi Arabia

Hilarious that this gets downvoted meanwhile even the rest of the west coast is 1.50 cheaper, low 5s here in Seattle and the south east still has gas in the 3s. This isn't an opinion.

California is the undisputed champion of footgunning themselves then complaining loudly about how unfair it is.

Lol, wait till SF bumps prices up 50% because their commercial real estate money tree has withered away.

Massachusetts still under $4 too

Some is self inflicted, but not all. They have stricter fuel policies that reduce what can be imported, not enough made in state, and high gas taxes. But it’s also cut off by 2 mountain ranges, which means it gets the majority imported by boat through the panama canal, so it’s always going to be more than Texas.

Yes I do agree. I'm definitely not saying that there are no valid reasons for gas in SF to have price differences from gas in let's say Alabama or something, there definitely are

My gas in the Bay Area of California is $5 flat, while we breath cleaner air due to emissions regulations, so pot meet kettle...

The reactance you feel toward the government, most people feel toward the economic system.

How are they gouging? America does not import a lot of oil from Saudi Arabia. According to the EIA [1] Saudi Arabia's share of the US imports is 5%. Is Saudi Arabia supposed to sell below market price? What exactly should they do to not be guilty of "gouging" in your eyes? And do you think that if they do that, it would have any impact on the consumer, given their 5% share?

[1] https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=727&t=6

Saudi Arabia is only gouging people in New Jersey $3.80 a gallon.

Wonder why we get a different price?

Funny how people don’t understand the world in which they live.

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