I know we’re all unhappy about the rise in gas prices. It seems to me there is a simple way that the state of Illinois could give it’s citizens a break, and I don’t understand why it hasn’t already been enacted.
The American Petroleum Industry gathered information in January on the gas rate per gallon in each state, and what additional taxes are levied on each gallon of gas. Illinois charges 19 cents per gallon, PLUS 6.25% sales tax AND a .3% tax for the underground storage tank fund.
It would be simple to pass a bill that changed the structure from a percentage of the sale to a specific amount per gallon.
At 6.25% per gallon, this is the tax you pay, depending on the cost of gas:
$1.75 gal. = 11 cents
$2.00 gal. = 12.5 cents
$2.50 gal. = 15.6 cents
$3.00 gal. = 18.75 cents
Rather than pointing the finger at the oil industry and crying “Gouging!” perhaps the state needs to consider an amendment that would give us a bit of relief. I’m sure that they figure there will be less driving, therefore there will be less gas sold, and less tax gathered. I know they want to keep their coffers filled.
But, cutting back six or seven (or more) cents per gallon would certainly help those who have to travel to work, and might encourage the rest of us to travel a bit more.
The Federal rate is 18.4 cents per gallon, a straight rate. I think Illinois should go to the straight rate as well…..and definitely one that is twelve cents or less per gallon!
Daily Archives: September 4, 2005
NO Mowing!
I wanted you to see the ornamental grass that grows at the corner of the house. It’s been there for years, and is the most modest of plants until about the third week of August, and then it just explodes, covering the sidewalk and anything near it.
We had a little visitor who was hiding in it. It never occurred to me that it might provide a highway for small animals who need cover as they travel through the area. I’ll have to watch to see if Ed sits and watches the grass.
Batik Quilt
This is a dreadful picture, but I’m dying to share this with you. The ladies who do my machine quilting returned the batik quilt last month. I laid the quilt on the floor of my foyer on a sunny morning, and hoped there would be enough light with a flash to be able to get a picture. I can see that we will have to take it outside to get true colors, and the full size for you. The quilt is approximately 104 x 80 inches. The quilt is not bound yet. I need to make a run on the quilt shop to buy black fabric for the binding. (I know….tough duty! *G*)
My brother and his wife were visiting this week, and my mother encouraged me to show them the quilt. I told them that I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but that it was a quilt I needed to make. I was astounded when my brother said that he had a wall in his house that would be the perfect spot for it if I cared to give it up. That really gave me a pause. I’m not ready to let it go, but it would be quite an honor to have my brother show my work. If I gave it to him it would be with the caveat that it had to stay within our family if he tired of it.
This is a closeup of the quilting. The ladies found a variegated thread that had all the colors of the quilt, for the quilting in the black triangles. The batik is quilted in gold to bring out the designs in each block. The strips are quilted in threads that are close to their color.
A Tiny Visitor
Yesterday, I went to the front door to see if Ed, the master of the house, who assumes that we exist to see to his every need, was lounging on the sidewalk, waiting to be let in for his afternoon snack.
Ed wasn’t there, but we had a tiny possum visitor. This little guy peered around the edge of a pot of lavender and watched to see if I was going to invite him in. After a bit, he backed up and tottered off into the ornamental grass growing at the corner of the house. He was about four, or perhaps five inches long, and had soft, fuzzy baby fur, and that heart-shaped face that possums have
I hope that Ed didn’t find him. I’m not sure what this little guy was doing out at 2:00 in the afternoon. I know his mother is nocturnal. Of course, it’s crossed my mind that his mother has been hit by a car, but I hope that this one is just curious and went sightseeing while Mom snoozed.
I won’t put out water or food for him. It would draw him to the front area of the house where Ed would be sure to catch him. I know that most of you don’t want to have possums sharing your habitat, but we’re used to all sorts of wildlife passing through our grove.
I’ll keep an eye out for him and try to get a picture if I can.