Big Oil Outslicked

Yet there’s no end to the sticky fingers of the state when it comes to motor fuels taxes — which are layered like a wedding cake. First comes the Feds. They hit you up for 18.4 cents on every gallon of fuel you buy. But that’s just for openers. Next in line is your state government — which will have its hand out for another 20 or so cents per gallon. (The amount varies depending on where you happen to live; some states have considerably higher taxes than others.) Then there are local taxes — which add another few cents to the tab. The total exaction can amount to some 60 cents per gallon in places like California and New York.

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