Gas tax drops, prices lower than last year
The California excise tax on gas is down six cents a gallon, just in time for the holiday weekend.
The tax on gas dropped from 36 cents to 30 cents per gallon.
The State Board of Equalization voted last February for the adjustment because of lower gas prices last year and because of the Fuel Tax Swap, a group of laws passed in 2010.
Out of state travelers coming for the holiday weekend are less than thrilled about California’s high gas prices.
“We did stop in Phoenix and we stayed there overnight. The prices there were not as bad but here in California they are about a dollar difference more than in Texas and in New Mexico,” said Adriana Areana from El Paso, Texas.
Not only are gas prices taking a toll on California’s tourism but they are affecting local California businesses.
“We have four of these trucks and when the gas prices are high we go through about $380 dollars a day so when they’re down it saves us about $100 a day. The more money we can save on gas we can pass onto our customers,” said James Angle who works for MJ Construction.
For local people traveling long distances it seems like another normal day at the pump.
“When you’re paying three to four dollars a gallon, I don’t think you notice six cents all that much,” said Mitch Spike who was filling up his RV.
Some tourist are debating if driving to California is cheaper than flying.
“We went and we were gonna try to see if we could get any packages for going from El Paso to Disneyland in Anaheim. About thirteen to fifteen hundred dollars so we decided to come in our truck to see if it was cheaper,” said Daniel Arenas.”
According to AAA and Oil Price Information Service the average price of gas 4.2 cents less than one week ago, and about 30 cents lower than a month ago. For this holiday weekend, gas is about 66 cents less than what it was last year.
