dumb question? (Houston: how much, buy, wages)

[mikeintampa]

i have a question..just how much does the rise in gas prices contribute to the Houston economy?Could the city actually benefit from this?

[chris_ut]

Yes. A lot of people in Houston are in the energy business and as oil prices go up those companies make more money and thus are able to employ more people and pay those they have higher wages.

[texas7]

We don't benefit from the rising gas prices any more than your current city does. Most energy company's stock is bought by private pension plans etc. Everyday folks such as teachers, blue collar workers, erc. who just want to work hard and retire. There was a huge article about this last week. What it does do however is allow overweight Houstonians to pack their overweight kids into oversized SUV's and fill up with gas any time they desire 24/7 - just at a higher cost.

[desertsun41]

Higher gas prices contribute less to Houstons or any city/state economy.

When prices go up we drive less. Meaning we buy less gas. Meaning the state collects less gas tax. Texas collects 20 cents on every gallon we buy on the state level and another 18.4 cents goes to the feds. 38.4 cents total.

On another note, with the state and federal collecting less gas tax because we buy less gas, by us driving slower the po po are giving out less extortion tickets meaning even less collected on the local levels.

Now we all know govt has no idea how to cut costs so instead of laying off or cutting corners, the spending stays the same so they go more into hock.

What is the answer? There is already talk now about lowering the federal speed limit to 55 across the country and lower all non highway speed limits by 5 MPH. This will allow the po po to write more tickets and make up for the short fall. This has nothing to do with saving gas but everything to do with writing more tickets. This has nothing to do with our safety and everything to do with writing more tickets.

It's a vicious cycle.

[philster001]

For the few CEO's and high ranking oil company officials, it probably is helping them. For the rest of us who have to deal with traffic and a spread out city, it is hurting. I know many people who are having to readjust spending and living habits now(including myself).

[texas7]

Well whether it generates revenue or not - a lower speed does use less fuel and in a crash - it does save lives. So regardless of the reason, it would have a cause and effect on those two things.

[davidt1]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Higher gas prices contribute less to Houstons or any city/state economy.

When prices go up we drive less. Meaning we buy less gas. Meaning the state collects less gas tax. Texas collects 20 cents on every gallon we buy on the state level and another 18.4 cents goes to the feds. 38.4 cents total.

On another note, with the state and federal collecting less gas tax because we buy less gas, by us driving slower the po po are giving out less extortion tickets meaning even less collected on the local levels.

Now we all know govt has no idea how to cut costs so instead of laying off or cutting corners, the spending stays the same so they go more into hock.

What is the answer? There is already talk now about lowering the federal speed limit to 55 across the country and lower all non highway speed limits by 5 MPH. This will allow the po po to write more tickets and make up for the short fall. This has nothing to do with saving gas but everything to do with writing more tickets. This has nothing to do with our safety and everything to do with writing more tickets.

It's a vicious cycle.

How do you come up with these crazy ideas? Lower speed saves gas and lives. No, this is not for the police to write more tickets. If they really want to raise money by ticketing people, they can easily triple ticket revenue with the current system. The list of things drivers can be ticketed for is long, and the cops only focus on major offenses.

[chris_ut]

Numerous studies by DoT have shown that lowering the speed limit does not save lives. In fact road fatalities have fallen significantly since the 55 limit was repealed.

[davidt1]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Numerous studies by DoT have shown that lowering the speed limit does not save lives. In fact road fatalities have fallen significantly since the 55 limit was repealed.

I remember reading a study that ranked CA as one of the states with the lowest highway fatalities because its congestions lowers speed. It makes sense. It takes longer to stop a fast moving car than it does to stop a slow moving one. And if you hit someone at a slow speed, the impact and damage will be less than one at higher speed. Ask police officers what the number one cause of car accidents and related injuries and fatalities is and they will tell you that cause is speeding. Here are some articles:

REDUCE SPEED AND SAVE LIVES (broken link)

Bass Coast Shire Council (http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/content/content.asp?cnid=1244&ctid= - broken link)

Goole Times | News | Speed restrictions aim to save lives (http://www.gooletimes.net/news/5959/speed_restrictions_aim_to_save_lives - broken link)

[chris_ut]

Ill see your study with my study :P

Higher Speed Limits Don't Cause More Deaths, Study Finds | LiveScience

The High Cost of the 55 MPH Speed Limit