Magnifying Gas

Don't expect a relief in high gas prices anytime soon.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said there aren't any immediate solutions that would help relieve the pain at the pump that motorists across the Rio Grande Valley and nation are experiencing.

Gas prices in Brownsville have already topped $3.50. On Thursday, the Exxon gasoline station at FM 802 and Expressway 77/83 was selling a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline for $3.54. Other gasoline retailers were selling a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline for $3.49 or $3.44.

It's this difference in gasoline prices that has motorist Veronica Cruz driving around to see who's offering the lower gas price. She thought she was getting a deal when she traded her 2000 Explorer for a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo.

It was a deal at first, but with the price of gasoline increasing virtually every day, she is starting to wonder.

"Everything is going up except for our base pay," said Cruz, of Brownsville.

Although she is feeling the pinch, she wonders about the lower income residents who are earning minimum wage and driving older vehicles with larger engines.

"I don't know if it's politics or what," she said. "Between gas, insurance and car payments you are literally asking people not to drive anymore."

Cornyn discussed gasoline during a conference call with reporters, where he talked about the rising gas prices on Thursday.

Cornyn said what American drivers are seeing is years of neglect by the Congress which is "coming home to roost and there aren't any immediate solutions."

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has proposed a gas tax holiday that would reduce the price of gas by 18 cents, though Cornyn described this as a challenge.

Gas taxes go into a fund used for highway construction projects across the U.S. "It's really a two-edge sword," Cornyn said.

Cornyn said that congressional Democrats pledged they would have a "common sense" plan to reduce the prices, but no plan has yet to surface.

Cornyn added that allowing for oil exploration on federal lands could help reduce prices immediately.

Late Thursday, a barrel of oil was selling for $116.40, down about $2 from Wednesday.

Analysts expect the price for a gallon of regular unleaded to climb to $4 by summer.

Gasoline prices in Brownsville have fluctuated in the past week. On Sunday, a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was selling for $3.34. That jumped to $3.44 on Tuesday then dropped to $3.39 on Wednesday before increasing to $3.49 at most gas stations on Thursday.