Anyone who has been to the gas pumps in the Jackson metro area lately knows gas prices are on the rise daily.
The national average for gas Thursday was $4.589 per gallon, and the average price of gas in Jackson on Thursday was $4.168 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association.
Last year on the same date, the national average price of gas was $4.589 per gallon and Jackson’s average was $2.727.
The price of diesel in Jackson on Thursday was $5.180 per gallon, according to AAA and last year diesel cost $2.855 per gallon.
Thomas Henry of Jackson said the price for a gallon of gas is ridiculous.
“I just don’t see the reason for charging $4 in gas just to make a quick dollar when the people are already struggling,” Henry said. “Yes! I will drive an extra mile to get the cheapest gas I can find because the last thing I should have to worry about is how much I have to pay in gas to get to work.”
General Manager of Exxon Blue Sky in Ridgeland Kayla Lucious said she believes rising gas prices have harmed customers financially.
“In the past few days I have lost loyal customers because the price on gas continuing to rise,” Lucious said. “I do believe prices will eventually drop but for now it will get worse before it gets better, unfortunately. I understand that gas prices can be high because I’ve reduced some of my retail therapy on the weekends.”
Malina Briggs of Jackson said gas prices have caused a delay in special moments in her children’s lives.
“I am a mother of three and that can be expensive,” Briggs said. “I drive a 2018 Ford Expedition and my truck drinks gas by the minute making it hard to get around. Going from two different practices and daycare I spend over $250-300 a week. Times get hard but I know I have to keep pushing.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a Wednesday press conference that gas prices have more than doubled since President Biden took office.
“Nothing says that they are more fundamentally out of touch with reality like making political decisions which constrain supply for oil and gas making the price of gas so expensive,” Reeves said.
“It is the reason I’ve said repeatedly for two years that the policy of this administration is the reason that we are seeing the inflation at levels we haven’t seen since the Carter administration.”
However, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores, the president, specifically, and politicians in general have very little to do with gas prices.
Gas prices are largely dictated by oil prices and oil prices are dependent upon supply and demand.
“Presidential control is not as simple as what those posts suggest on social media,” the NACS said.
Jackson resident Hart Wilkins said gas prices have put a hole in his wallet.
“Since this past Sunday I’ve had to limit my spending due to gas being so high,” Wilkins said. “I love going to the casino in Gulfport but I can no longer do so because gas is so high.”
