Everyday to Election Day: The Price of Gas Matters to Voters

What are you paying for gas these days? Do you expect your government to do something about it? What role should government have when it comes to controlling prices?

Gas prices rose almost 25 cents per gallon while Congress was on its spring break. And with elections coming up in November, many legislators would like to curb prices for their constituents. But what are their options?

Write a letter to the White House

House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R- Illinois) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) wrote a letter to President Bush suggesting that law enforcement agencies and regulators protect "...American consumers from price-fixing, collusion, gouging, and other anti-competitive practices..."

Bush himself has promised to punish gougers, but who has the power to investigate unfair price hikes?

Empower the FTC

Frist and Hastert suggested that Bush direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Justice Department to look into high gas prices, but one FTC official told CNN that the agency has no jurisdiction over price gouging.

Democrats proposed to give the FTC such powers and invited Republicans to back the plan. However, the proposal would also roll back $12 billion in tax breaks to oil and gas companies and give the money to alternative energy sources. Many Republicans object to that portion of the plan.

Expand oil and gas infrastructure

Republican-backed tax breaks would encourage oil and gas companies to strengthen and expand their infrastructure. The oil refinement and distribution system is fragile in the U.S. - Hurricane Katrina demonstrated this by badly damaging refineries in the Gulf, thereby slowing production and raising prices for months.

No new refineries have been built in the United States since the late 1970s; so many Republican lawmakers would like to offer tax incentives for development.

Lower gas taxes

The White House has been brainstorming ways to lower gas prices and came up with cutting gas taxes temporarily. The tradeoff is that states would lose much-needed revenue that is commonly used for highway construction and maintenance; even a short brake in gas taxes could mean a hefty debt for states.

Long term v. short term

Short-term solutions to high gas prices are likely to have uncomfortable side effects, but perhaps the current crunch could inspire new energy programs for the future.

So far, Congress has recycled its ideas from last year, including opening acres in the Gulf of Mexico or the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing. Having faced difficulties last year, neither of these proposals is expected to pass.

Democrats are strategically challenging Republicans to take on new initiatives, calling current energy problems an environmental, economic, and security crisis.

Gas prices and energy reforms are sure to be hot topics for the upcoming elections. Log on to WomenMatter to stay updated on these issues. Listen to our Facts and Trade-Offs radio show on Oil Energy.

What do you think?

How should we address our energy problems? What are you willing to do to conserve energy? Will gas prices help to determine your vote?

Your input matters

Your representatives DO care what you think. Especially now -- 2006 is an election year and many representatives will be looking to reconnect with their constituents. Let your congressmen and women know what you think! Give your senators a piece of your mind! To find your reps, click here.

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Article Posted on: 4/29/2006