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Gavin Newsom calls for  emergency tax to combat high gas prices in California and gets mocked mercilessly online
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom calls for  emergency tax to combat high gas prices in California and gets mocked mercilessly online

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an emergency session of the state legislature to address what he called the "greed of oil companies" and he received a hefty helping of mockery in return.

"I'm calling for a Special Session to address the greed of oil companies. Gas prices are too high," tweeted Newsom.

"Time to enact a windfall profits tax directly on oil companies that are ripping you off at the pump."

While gas prices have fallen significantly after hitting a high in June, the same prices in California are far outpacing the rest of the country. The national average for a gallon of gas is about $3.89 according to the Automobile Association of America, while the average cost per gallon in California is $6.39, or 64% greater than the rest of the country.

Newsom was hit with ridicule and mockery over the claim that gas prices were simply the result of greed.

"Gas prices in Florida are half the price in California. Why is it only California with $7 gas right now!" asked Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

"Really strange how oil companies only get really greedy when they cross the California border," read another popular response.

"Only an economically illiterate Democrat would think enacting yet another state tax on petroleum companies will bring about a decrease in gas prices LOL. You couldn't make up this level of stupid if you tried," responded another detractor.

"Gas prices are $3 less per gallon in Texas. I guess Texas uses different oil companies," said another critic.

Democrat President Joe Biden tried to bring down gas prices by calling on OPEC to increase production, but the conglomerate responded by decreasing production in what is widely considered a slap in the face to the president.

By contrast, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a gas tax holiday that drove prices down lower in his state. A gallon of gas in Florida costs about $3.22, far lower than that in California.

Here's more about gas prices in California:

Gov. Newsom considers special legislative session in response to rising gas priceswww.youtube.com

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