Over 60 percent of Mainers have expressed concern over gas prices in the state, although there is a distinct divide based on political affiliation.
According to the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, the majority of Democrats and independents in Maine are worried about the price at the pump, while Republicans are mostly unconcerned.
When asked if they were worried about paying for gas over the next twelve months, 79 percent of Democrats and 70 percent of independents said that they were either very or somewhat worried, meanwhile the same was true for only 38 percent of Republicans.
Respondents were also asked to share the effect of gas prices on their everyday life over the past three months.
45 percent of Mainers said that they’ve made an effort to drive fewer miles, and 35 percent said that they have cut spending on non-essentials.
31 percent of those surveyed said that gas prices have had no effect on their daily habits.
Residents were also asked to indicate who they believe to be responsible for the current gas prices, 86 percent pointed towards oil companies, while 78 percent identified President Donald Trump as the responsible party. Large majorities also blame oil-producing foreign countries.
72 percent place the burden of responsibility onto Republicans in Congress, as 53 percent feel that Democrats are to blame.
Just 31 percent of respondents pointed a finger at gas station owners.
100 percent of Democrats surveyed blamed President Trump for the gas prices, meanwhile Republicans primarily pointed a finger at oil-producing foreign countries and oil companies.
49 percent of Republicans also indicated that they feel Trump bears responsibility for the cost of gas.
Democrats blamed congressional Republicans at the same rate as Republicans blamed congressional Democrats.
Partisan divides also emerge with respect to Mainers’ optimism for the movement of gas prices over the next twelve months.
While 84 percent of Democrats feel that gas prices will go up over the next year, meanwhile 60 percent of Republicans expect them to go down.
Independents are more closely divided, with 44 percent expecting prices to rise and 35 percent anticipating prices to drop. 14 percent think that prices will remain about the same.
To think that democrats are going to lower prices are a joke. They have been in charge for the last 8 years, has anything gotten cheaper? Lower taxes, cost of doing business, electricity rates?
But we need cheap energy to thrive and just not gas prices.