Seattle Times – DRIVERS emptying their wallets to fill up the tank should know that skyrocketing gas prices are due in part to out-of-control betting by big investors.
Washington drivers, now paying an average of $3.93 per gallon, could soon breathe a collective sigh of relief. U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington have called on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, CFTC, to immediately impose regulations on oil speculation.
The senators and President Obama acknowledged last week that speculators are driving gas prices far beyond supply and demand. Limits on speculation would keep big investors, with no underlying commercial interest in crude oil, from holding too large a share of the market.
As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
