Today, PIRGs around the country released our new report Squandering the Stimulus: Average American Households Spent Economic Stimulus on Gas. It's part of our campaign to promote mass transit spending increases to reduce the heavy negative impacts of our car and gasoline based transportation system. I joined staff attorney Shana Becker and NCPIRG outreach staff at their release in Raleigh today in front of the Moore Square transit center (photo). From the national release:

Without sufficient alternatives to driving, American families spent their entire economic stimulus check on high-priced gas. According to new analysis from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, since President Bush signed the tax rebates into law on February 13th, the average household spent over $1500 filling their tanks. Gas costs were higher than average in areas without robust public transportation.

On Thursday, the US House of Representatives will vote on a bill to approve additional funding for public transportation as an alternative to high gas prices. "If Congress wants to do something long-term about high gas prices, it will give people more alternatives to driving," said US PIRG staff attorney John Krieger, "Unless we make it easier to drive less, American families will be stuck in neutral as they spend more and more at the pump."