Policies, not greed, driving California’s sky-high gas prices, study finds

KTLA ^ | May 31, 2025 | by: Austin Turner, Marc Sternfield

[artichokegrower]

As Californians continue to wonder why they suffer disproportionately at the pump compared to other states, a new study from a prominent researcher says the state’s perpetually high gas prices are largely “self-inflicted.”

Michael Mische with the USC Marshall School of Business recently published “A Study of California Gasoline Prices,” diving into the reason why California is typically the most expensive state in the U.S. to fill up your vehicle.

The conclusion: California’s high gas prices are the “result of directed policies and a litany of regulations, taxes, fees, and costs,” according to Mische.

[artichokegrower]

And Californians continue to vote in overwhelmingly for Democrats

[RKV]

Barf. It’s greed and it always has been. GAMP is the DemonRat priority.

[BobL]

“The conclusion: California’s high gas prices are the “result of directed policies and a litany of regulations, taxes, fees, and costs,” according to Mische.”

Let me guess, it took USAID money to figure this out.

[cuz1961]

And Californian voting machines with black box programing continue to vote overwhelmingly for Democrats.

[drwoof]

Over $0.50 per gallon in state tax, which will increase on July 1, ‘indexed to inflation’. Who in this state thinks this is a good idea? Enough, apparently... I suppose it’s a good thing, really, because in ten years, it won’t be legal to buy an gas-powered car (or gas powered anything else) in the Golden State. The compounded increase in the tax will make buying an EV a somewhat less idiotic financial move, so that’ll Save The Planet, right?

(One of the more interesting factoids from the article: Calif gas has to be refined in the Middle East, and then shipped here for sale. Huh. Imagine that.)

[artichokegrower]

In California, the combined state and federal gasoline tax is currently around 68.1 cents per gallon.
Here’s a breakdown:
State Excise Tax: 58 cents per gallon.
Federal Excise Tax: 18 cents per gallon.
Sales Tax: 10 cents per gallon (estimated)
Fees: Low Carbon Gas Programs: 22 cents per gallon, Greenhouse Gas Programs: 15 cents per gallon, Underground Tank Storage: 2 cents per gallon

[Ex-Con777]

What a concept, a tax indexed to inflation…….like inflation only affects the state and not the individual.

EC

[eyeamok]

As soon as you cross the border in to Arizona, Gas is $2.68 a gallon.

[Lockbox]

But it is greed! Greed of “green energy”, greed of “mass transit”, like the nonexistent super train. Greed can take many forms, power is just as important as money in this topic.

[kvanbrunt2]

$4.80 a gallon. had to search for it near the end of the article national average is $3.10

[marktwain]

But it is greed! Greed of “green energy”, greed of “mass transit”, like the nonexistent super train. Greed can take many forms, power is just as important as money in this topic.

---

Exactly. It is the greedy California politicians, as well as the insane “Deep Green” mindset. Essentially, their mindset is: If only California commits economic suicide, then the rest of the West will follow, then the rest of the world will do the same, and

... a miracle happens and the World is saved...

[econjack]

It’s greed and it always has been.

You're wrong.

“California has done a terrific job chasing [refineries] out of the state and suddenly wondering why they don’t have enough gasoline or why prices skyrocket.”

CA passes laws and regulations that are anti-business. Anytime someone proposes constructing a new business, you protest/block it. Yet, when your state faces "rolling brownouts", these same people bitch at the power companies. It's a "cake-eat-it-too" problem. You also have the California Air Resource Board (CARB) that dictates fuel blends. While most states have 3 blends, CA has 13 which impacts scale economies. As a result, things cost more in CA because of your toxic, anti-business, stance. Of course, that's your right, but it's going to cost you so don't bitch when it comes back to bites you in the ass.

[Lockbox]

Hope Springs eternal… The interesting part is watching Gavin Newsom sing and tap dance his way around the problem 🤣

[ExTexasRedhead]

The citizens of California do NOT continue to vote for the corrupt scum in office. Did you vote to elect FU Biden in 2020? No! There have been two, at least, recalls of Greasy NewScum and both were beaten because of California voter fraud that put the bastard in office to begin with. My daughter was still in line to vote when they called the NewScum recall defeated. There were Trump rallies all over CA in 2020 and 2024. When the voter fraud is exposed, and it will be, it will show that California voted Red in 2020.

There is voter fraud in EVERY state, just more in the Blue States. California is the RAT/RINO prototype for voter fraud.

4 Corrupt California Families ~ Newsom, Brown, Pelosi & Feinstein

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUJCR8XhmoY

[Bon of Babble]

Nothing we didn’t already know.

AND, the gas tax is about to go up another $.65 cents and California is looking at yet another scam: Tax miles driven.

We are also seeing the implementation of “toll lanes” - which used to be for car pools. You must have a transponder to use them, car pool or not, and pay..and pay...and pay. I figure it’s only a matter of time b/f ALL roads in California will be “toll roads.”

Yet idiots - while bitterly complaining - will still vote for Democrats.

[kaktuskid]

Phoenix is around 3.50..we have to have a special enviro blend that only comes from LA refineries. Which is why we we are part of the top the in highest gas prices.