Squandering the Stimulus: Average North Carolina Households Spent Their Economic Stimulus at the Pump
Thursday, June 26th, 2008
By Phineas Baxandall & Shana Becker
Bill in Congress would authorize $1.7B for public transportation in response to high gas costs
Without sufficient alternatives to driving, American families spent their entire economic stimulus check on high-priced gas. According to new analysis from the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group, since President Bush signed the tax rebates into law on February 13th, the average household spent over $1500 filling their tanks. Gas costs were higher than average in areas without robust public transportation.
"North Carolina families are looking for true relief from high gas prices. We urge Congress to pass the Saving Energy through Transportation Act and help make public transportation more accessible," said Representative Jennifer Weiss, Democrat from Wake County.
Representative Paul Luebke, Democrat from Durham County, added, "This measure will help communities in North Carolina build, grow, and improve their transportation systems."
According to the analysis released by NCPIRG, since February when President Bush signed the tax rebates into law, the average cost per household for gasoline has gone from just over $60 weekly to almost $100 per week. Americans have responded to higher gas costs by taking public transportation at record rates in areas where it is available. American drivers traveled fewer miles last year for the first time in almost thirty years.
Click here to read the full report
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