Keystone Today

The entire nation has been affected by the rising inflation rates, which have hit a 40-year high, according to McLaughlin & Associates.

In Pennsylvania, residents been hit particularly hard at the gas pumps.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the state of Pennsylvania reported the highest gas prices of any state east of the Rockies, as reported by AAA. During the winter months, the demand for gas has dropped due to winter weather conditions, working from home and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This usually leads to cheaper gas prices, but inflation has been so high that this trend did not occur. Crude oil prices are at $80 a barrel, which means prices at the pump are expected to continue to rise. 

According to a recent AAA gas price report, Pennsylvania averages $3.58 per gallon for regular gas. The average price for mid-grade is $3.90 and the average for premium is $4.17 per gallon. The average price for diesel is $4.07 per gallon.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers showed 2021 brought a 7% increase in the "all items index" from January to December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is the largest increase the country has experienced since June of 1982. 

The report added that the food index rose 6.3%, while the energy index increased by 29.3%. The 12-month increase for food at home was 6.5%, as the indexes for all six major grocery store food groups rose. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs took the largest hit with a 12.5% increase throughout 2021.

“The 'all items' less food and energy index rose 5.5%, the largest 12-month change since the period ending February 1991,” the BLS report stated.

A survey by McLaughlin & Associates showed that 52% of respondents believe the country is in a recession, with 40% saying that it is not in a recession. This is a dramatic change from last year, when only 25% said that the economy was in a recession and 70% felt that it was not.