Living and working in Midland, I certainly understand and agree with much of what the oil industry says about oil/gasoline prices. However, it is a fact the the government could do much, much more on energy policy; tax credits, conservation, milage standards, etc. But until everyone can sit down and talk logically and non-politically about energy policy, nothing of consequence will be done.

Gee, suspending the gas tax would negatively effect TXDoT. If we did that, Kruseeeeee would just use it as an excuse to start tolling surface roads. I think it's a bad idea... a better one would be to fine the shit out of the oil companies until they build more refineries and force them to divest their retail operations.

If the this moritorium coincides with maybe a federal gas tax holidayr we're talking around 50 cents off a gallon of gas.

Best Little Whorehouse in Texas reference - awesome.
DId you hear that Bush wants authority to order auto manufacturers to step up fuel efficiency? Didn't he let a deadline for just that pass a few years ago?

Giving everyone a $100 rebate to fight high gas prices is kind of like dealing with Al Qaeda by giving everyone a bulletproof vest.

Why does every other post here have someone connecting the issue to Krusee wanting to build toll roads? If anything, more toll roads will reduce driving and hence demand for gasoline, which should drive down the price. Just one of a long list of reasons why toll roads are good, not bad.

ghtx - that's stupid argument, espcially since you fail to take into account the deleterious effect they have on commerce.

And I just like beating up on Krusee because he's a tool.

Wonk - Actually, I'm not all that pissed about gas prices. I've noticed fewer people on the roads recently aqnd I gotta say I'm LOVING it.

hyped - Oh sure. He'd increase the CAFE standards if only he had the opportunity. Sure. Right. Honestly, I thought CNBC was playing a joke when they mentioned that this AM.

Raise CAFE standards? Bush, the hydrogen boy wonder? I wonder if stock futures for foreign auto manufacturers went up?

What's so wrong with tolling the suburbs? Pay to play, dudes, myself included (thank you CapMetro vanpool). The alternative is what, raise the gas tax?

tree - the old 'we have ours, so screw everyone else' argument?

The first reason I don't like them is simply because Austin's getting screwed. Dallas, Houston and SA all got their freeways and we get Krusee's lousy, smelly dick. The second reason is the structure of the transaction. I would feel better if it were under TXDoT control with a set repayment time and date at which the tolls expire.

In reality it's hardly a financial burden since I don't venture out to the hinterlands often so I can't bitch about that.