Washington state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has again called on the Legislature and governor to address the state’s rising gas prices.
“In my district, and all around the state, rising fuel costs are forcing working people and families to make tough financial decisions, like whether to buy groceries or a tank of gas,” Walsh said in a Sept. 21 statement. “Food banks report that more people need their help because the cap-and-trade scheme has increased fuel costs, leaving individuals and families unable to buy food.”
As of Sept. 21, drivers in Washington paid an average of $5.04 per gallon. For comparison, in 2022, the average gas price in Washington was $4.63, according to AAA.
The national average gas price on Thursday was $3.87 per gallon.
In recent weeks, several state lawmakers have proposed legislation to ease the pain at the pump. Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, wants to propose legislation to give registered vehicle owners $100 each or $200 per family a year.
Senator and gubernatorial candidate Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, urged the Legislature to cap the price of carbon pollution permits being auctioned off under the Climate Commitment Act.
“In my opinion, the cap-and-trade scheme needs to be repealed entirely. It’s inflicting too much suffering on working families and people living on fixed incomes. But several other proposals are also worth considering,” Walsh said in a statement Thursday, mentioning both Mullet’s and Connors’ proposals.
Gov. Jay Inslee was in New York last week to discuss global climate change with a collection of international business and world leaders. Walsh said Sept. 21 that if “the governor is too busy with his schedule in New York, we in the Legislature can call ourselves into a special session and take action. We need to. The people of Washington are hurting.”
