Study shows TX drivers spend 6 percent of income on gasoline

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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 7/24/2008 10:50:01 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Thursday, July 24, 2008 The San Antonio Business Journal -- Drivers in Texas spend nearly 6 percent of their income on gasoline, twice as much as what drivers in some states spend, according to a report released Wednesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report highlights two areas: state-by-state vulnerability to high oil prices and implementation by states of alternatives and solutions. Texas is the 16th most vulnerable state when it comes to gas prices. The average Texas motorist spent $2,174 on gasoline in 2007, or about 5.85 percent of income, the report shows. Visit The San Antonio Business Journal for full article

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joelmtz98 Rookie Author Houston Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 7/27/2008 11:58:51 AM	Ignore joelmtz98 Report Abuse
	I started keeping track of my gasoline costs since Januray 2008 when i started working at a Houston location that is a 95 mile round trip to and from work. The percent of my gas cost of net pay from Jan 2, 2008 to July 24, 2008 is 16.47%; and 10.55% of my gross bi-weekly check. This is still much higher that the state average of 6% and to me reaching a critical point. Two things are clear to me ...i can't afford to drive a vehicle that only gets 18 miles to the gallon (hyw) anymore and/or i can't afford to work that far away from where i live. I am currently carpooling eventhough i have been working a compressed week (10/4s) since February. I believe even one day of carpooling may reduce my gasoline costs.
CrazyQ Champion Author Washington Posts:12,743 Points:1,506,950 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 1:57:24 PM	Ignore CrazyQ Report Abuse
	Statistics can be made to lie, and liars use statistics.
357revo Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:7,133 Points:816,215 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 11:47:56 AM	Ignore 357revo Report Abuse
	A major problem with this NRDC report is that the numbers are biased to make gasoline cost percentages much higher than a driver will actually spend. That produces a shock effect to get the reader's attention, and the article gives them the impression that driving is bad for them and for the economy. The entire article is a hit piece on the use of personal autos, designed to push people into supporting their state government's pumping more money into the black hole of public transit & pushing for state and federal laws designed to force people to move back from suburban life into the big cities with their high taxes, eroding infrastructure, and high crime rates. How do they manipulate the gas cost as a percentage of income? Cost of gas is based on total gasoline sold in each state divided by number of registered drivers. Personal income is based on "per capita" earnings. Since there are commercial uses of gasoline in every state, that cost is apportioned to the registered drivers, even though it isn't a personal driving cost. That pushes up the gas cost "per driver". Look at the gas costs per driver in the various states in the full report and you can see how they jump around without rhyme or reason. Since there are many more people living in the state [non-working spouses, children, retired] than workers, the average income per worker is lowered by using the "per capita" state average. When the gas cost percentage is computed, "per driver" and "per capita" are considered equal, although they are not, and the result is a much higher gas cost percentage of income than reality. The NRDC has as its agenda the elimination of the personal auto, and they are using every tool at their disposal to bring this about, including scare scenarios about global warming, the prevention of drilling for domestic oil supplies, pushing for more restrictions on personal auto use to make driving cost-prohibitive, pushing for government spending on inefficient mass transit and rail lines.
Mahalo98 Rookie Author Georgia Posts:15 Points:51,560 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:47:08 AM	Ignore Mahalo98 Report Abuse
	New CO2 Scrubber Opposed by Environmentalists (VIDEO !!!) Scientists at Columbia University are developing a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber device that removes one ton of CO2 from the air every day, says the Heartland Institute http://wordpress.com/tag/carbon-eater/
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,811 Points:1,040,410 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:43:07 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	calif hurting also
MINERMANIAC Rookie Author Houston Posts:41 Points:19,510 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:42:29 AM	Ignore MINERMANIAC Report Abuse
	What is the Natural Resources Defense Council?!! So, we need to wean ourselves from oil dependency? I think they need to wean themselves off the kool-aid. They are defending Natural Resources. Why do you think God gave us natural resources? To use them!!!!
vwphred Rookie Author Toronto Posts:70 Points:822,765 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:42:01 AM	Ignore vwphred Report Abuse
	I know that those averages, but I have spent that much in 6 months on fuel with two small cars
bauerboy Sophomore Author Seattle Posts:158 Points:298,760 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:41:22 AM	Ignore bauerboy Report Abuse
	Everything's bigger in Texas.
armstrmb Champion Author Houston Posts:2,382 Points:524,595 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:40:49 AM	Ignore armstrmb Report Abuse
	I know that gas prices in Houston are far lower than in New York and Connecticut. Maybe this is less due to state efforts to lower gas prices and more due to federal funding of transportation projects (subways, Amtrak, ...).
copperhead8 Champion Author Boston Posts:5,905 Points:1,252,670 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:38:36 AM	Ignore copperhead8 Report Abuse
	How'd they figure this one out? Makes no sense to me.
Mahalo98 Rookie Author Georgia Posts:15 Points:51,560 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:37:35 AM	Ignore Mahalo98 Report Abuse
	It’s all relative to the person, income, the size of the vehicle, and how many cars you own. I believe this to be an average which has highs and low so we are only seeing the medium.
Dale Jr. Champion Author Iowa Posts:8,245 Points:1,658,150 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:36:38 AM	Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse
	The reports numbers don't seem right.
dls_txxs_grl All-Star Author Dallas Posts:869 Points:59,850 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:36:37 AM	Ignore dls_txxs_grl Report Abuse
	I defenitely belive this...our mass transit stinks (although it is improving) and everything here is very spread apart...
SachseQueen Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,976 Points:1,101,700 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:36:02 AM	Ignore SachseQueen Report Abuse
	$2174 as 5.85% of your income = about $37,000 income. That average seems a bit low to me!
Bannack All-Star Author Florida Posts:805 Points:144,770 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:29:44 AM	Ignore Bannack Report Abuse
	and the reason is?
Sabredude Sophomore Author New York Posts:151 Points:272,770 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:25:10 AM	Ignore Sabredude Report Abuse
	seems a little low to me.
DarthDadJr All-Star Author Virginia Posts:600 Points:123,695 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:23:10 AM	Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse
	Need more info...rural drivers are different than city...and Texas is a HUGE state...I'm sure that affected the study.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:5,154 Points:1,103,725 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:22:26 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	Texas has always had cheaper gasoline than most states and it still does--it's green on the gas price temperature map.
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:2,427 Points:487,580 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:19:57 AM	Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse
	Data is useless!
amacquarrie Veteran Author Nevada Posts:445 Points:101,105 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:18:26 AM	Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
	that does seem a little low
dreamweaver7050 All-Star Author Louisiana Posts:923 Points:524,940 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:17:34 AM	Ignore dreamweaver7050 Report Abuse
	and
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,541 Points:502,095 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:15:08 AM	Ignore WillyG Report Abuse
	That's nothing. Try 16%
rbdesigns All-Star Author Modesto Posts:502 Points:204,500 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:12:20 AM	Ignore rbdesigns Report Abuse
	That's probably because everything is spread out so they have to drive furthor.
gasie1 Champion Author Maine Posts:2,231 Points:988,335 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:11:39 AM	Ignore gasie1 Report Abuse
	I pay a lot more than 6% for gas and home heating oil.
coolpado Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,112 Points:225,070 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:11:35 AM	Ignore coolpado Report Abuse
	Glad it's not over 10%
JB1881 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:1,925 Points:449,060 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:10:21 AM	Ignore JB1881 Report Abuse
	SO WHAT!
Wolfwings Champion Author Delaware Posts:1,007 Points:282,020 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:10:04 AM	Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse
	I wonder what it costs in a major city like NYC or LA or CHI?
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:5,828 Points:1,167,520 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:08:26 AM	Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse
	I agree its a lot, but 6% seems high
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,901 Points:1,362,780 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:07:31 AM	Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse
	I'd imagine sunny California is also a problem this way. After all, we have a fractured economy. Lots of poor laborer types, but a good contingent of professionals as well. So the professionals (docs, lawyers, engineers, entertainment folks) can afford the costs. Others may not.
fedupintx Veteran Author Dallas Posts:278 Points:42,800 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:06:12 AM	Ignore fedupintx Report Abuse
	That explains where 1/4 of the pay check goes and the bill collecters get 2/4 and kids usually get the rest, no wonder I stay broke
Fisch2 Veteran Author Grand Rapids Posts:346 Points:149,205 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 10:03:51 AM	Ignore Fisch2 Report Abuse
	Um. This is not news. This is media reporting normal statistics as if they are beyond incredible. If you make $50K, and you spend $3K (more than "average") on that expensive gas, WOW, that's 6%.
Brn2bEvl Champion Author New York Posts:1,088 Points:229,875 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:55:35 AM	Ignore Brn2bEvl Report Abuse
	And i spend 6 percent on tv - who cares.
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,424 Points:356,135 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:54:45 AM	Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse
	AND ALABAMA SPENDS 8%, NEXT WE WILL HEAR ABOUT CALIFORNIA.
RCinNM Champion Author New Mexico Posts:4,711 Points:580,485 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:52:10 AM	Ignore RCinNM Report Abuse
	I can assure you that I'm paying much more than 6% of my pay for fuel.
ankhes Veteran Author Toronto Posts:468 Points:244,505 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:49:34 AM	Ignore ankhes Report Abuse
	My sentiments exactly, HockeyLady.
HockeyLady Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,509 Points:973,620 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:47:52 AM	Ignore HockeyLady Report Abuse
	and what are the incomes levels they are basing this on?
RF4CPhantom Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,321 Points:180,475 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:46:49 AM	Ignore RF4CPhantom Report Abuse
	Very interesting~!
Brockvillian Veteran Author Ontario Posts:437 Points:277,245 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:41:50 AM	Ignore Brockvillian Report Abuse
	I'd Like to spend only 6 percent of my income.
CdnGlassLady Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,292 Points:120,375 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:41:40 AM	Ignore CdnGlassLady Report Abuse
	I now this is a gas board. but a more realistic picture would be to factor in the total cost of fuel including heating ones home be it electric heat or gas or oil. then it is mind boggling how much of ones income is spent no matter where you live
10pennypincher All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:532 Points:240,725 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:41:34 AM	Ignore 10pennypincher Report Abuse
	this news makes the case for people to move back into the cities from the burbs.
unclebobMO Veteran Author Missouri Posts:264 Points:173,490 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:39:21 AM	Ignore unclebobMO Report Abuse
	Sounds like everybody I know. We must conserve better and drive less.
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:6,464 Points:1,722,945 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:28 AM	Ignore scrounger Report Abuse
	must be pretty big incomes
rod1965 All-Star Author Portland Posts:722 Points:116,345 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:25 AM	Ignore rod1965 Report Abuse
	Welcome to the party Texas.
canescommuter All-Star Author Greensboro Posts:686 Points:172,305 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:16 AM	Ignore canescommuter Report Abuse
	Texas is a whole other country. T. Boone Pickens wants US taxpayers to expand the electric grid so wind farms can distribute power generated in Texas and he can profit. Upgrading the national grid is a necessary goal, but I think his plan is really just an attempt for his company not to have to absorb the expense. Look at the national power grid http://encarta.msn.com/media_701509077/the_national_power_grid.html Texas has chosen to limit their connectivity to the national grid and now T. Boone needs taxpayers to connect his project for it to make money. I agree with much of his arguments in general, but his motives are suspect.
The_WB Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,954 Points:525,500 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:38:04 AM	Ignore The_WB Report Abuse
	Most states beat this
edgarbrn Sophomore Author Charleston Posts:181 Points:344,655 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:37:15 AM	Ignore edgarbrn Report Abuse
	OK.
FizedNH Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,386 Points:250,900 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:37:14 AM	Ignore FizedNH Report Abuse
	I think NY and Ca beat that...
MG_Sputnik All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:761 Points:479,690 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:36:23 AM	Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse
	I also agree with JimL1. Make the speculators "earn" their money by forcing them to put more up each time they want to buy an oil futures contract. Watch how much less oil will then be traded with a subsequent drop in prices.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,730 Points:877,635 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:34:51 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	The statistics look bad, but you have to remember that housing and food are much less here than the rest of the country, we never had a real estate bubble that burst and we don't have income taxes. So gas is a little more expensive. We drive less than usual.
my3sons Champion Author New York Posts:1,821 Points:890,295 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/25/2008 9:34:05 AM	Ignore my3sons Report Abuse
	NY probably pays more -- we're still over $4 a gal here and home haeting fuel is offered at $4.80 to lock in now

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