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6.5% Of Hoosier Income Goes Towards Gas

Last updated on Wednesday, July 23, 2008

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - A national environmental lobbying group ranks Indiana the seventh-most vulnerable state to rising gas prices… and 29th in taking action to change that.

The Natural Resources Defense Council calculates the average Hoosier spends 6.5% of his income to fill the gas tank.

Indiana ranked 12th last year, and would have ranked around 12th again, but the NRDC changed its calculation to include taxes.

Indiana is one of just six states which charges sales tax on gas -- that alone tacks more than 100 dollars onto Hoosiers' annual bill.

The NRDC credits Indiana with converting the state vehicle fleet to more efficient cars, and offering incentives for alternative-fuel research and installation of E85 pumps. But the council says the state could do more to encourage hybrids and reduce the time people spend in the car.

Mississippians spend more of their paycheck on gas than any state at 7.9%. Connecticut spends the least at 3.2%.

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