Spiraling gasoline prices have fueled inflation. | Pixabay/Paul Brennan
Spiraling gasoline prices have fueled inflation. | Pixabay/Paul Brennan
State Sen. Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor, said new inflation data is "devastating" and that Pennsylvania's economy will be even worse if his Democratic opponent, Josh Shapiro, is elected.
“The June inflation figures are devastating," Mastriano said. "Joe Biden’s radical policies have wrecked our economy and put Pennsylvania families in a painful position. But skyrocketing inflation will only be the beginning of our economic pain if we don’t correct course this November."
Mastriano called Shapiro, “Biden’s radical comrade."
Shapiro wants to expand "dangerous Democrat policies and force Pennsylvanians to endure even more suffering," Mastriano said. "He is blind to the benefits of small government, the wonders of the free market system, and the transformative power of our energy sector. It’s time to revive – not ravage – our beloved Commonwealth.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary on Wednesday, which found that costs have risen 9.1% in the last year, marking a 40-year high. The cost of energy increased by 7.5%, gas prices rose 11.2% and the cost of food increased by 1%. In the last year, the cost of gas has risen by 59.9%, while food prices have increased by 10.4%.
President Joe Biden said in a tweet, "Today’s report is a reminder that inflation is too high – fighting inflation is my top economic priority. And while the numbers today are not acceptable, they are also outdated. In the past 30 days, the average price of gas has dropped by 40 cents a gallon."
The average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Pennsylvania is $4.756 as of Wednesday, according to AAA, up from $3.224 one year ago.
When Shapiro was a Montgomery County commissioner, he voted in favor of a budget that raised residents' taxes by 11%, NBC Philadelphia reported in 2016. Mastriano beat eight challengers to win the Republican nomination in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race, according to Ballotpedia. Mastriano and Shapiro will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.
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