Patrick Beaty

This is one of my favorite charts. 📊 Regular gas prices in 🔴 states vs. 🔵 states. Gasoline prices have risen for everyone since the Iran War started in February. There is absolutely no doubt that the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz (which, as of the time I'm writing this, is improving) was the cause. But regardless of recent price trends amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, prices tend to be cheaper than the national average and median (a more appropriate metric) in red states. On the other hand, blue states tend to run more expensive, the exceptions of course being Colorado (a surprise to me), Maryland (barely), and my home state of Virginia. These differences primarily boil down to gas tax rates. Democrat-run states have higher tax rates because, well, Democrats like higher taxes. This should not be a shocker to anyone. California takes the cake, though. The gas tax rate of $0.63 / gallon is the highest in the United States, and environmental regulations (e.g., cap-and-trade and their low-carbon fuel standard), which add another $0.21 to $0.26 / gallon, impose significant burdens on consumers. Assuming that you drive a vehicle with a 26-gallon tank and fill up every 1.5 weeks, on average, Californians spend ~$2,335.36 more per year on gas than Indianians. Left-wing energy policies are nuts.