Talarico vs. Paxton / Issues / Gas prices & energy
Where do Talarico and Paxton stand on gas prices and energy bills?
Short answer
Both James Talarico and Ken Paxton want to cut the 18.4-cent federal gas tax: Talarico would suspend it temporarily, Paxton would end it permanently. Talarico also wants to expand LIHEAP, the federal program that helps families pay utility bills. Paxton has no stated LIHEAP proposal. They split sharply on climate.
Side by side
Talarico
Paxton
Federal gas tax
Suspend it temporarily.
End it permanently.
Help with utility bills
Expand LIHEAP funding and eligibility so hot-climate states like Texas get a fair share.
No stated LIHEAP proposal.
Oil and gas
“All of the above”: protect oil and gas jobs while building geothermal and hydrogen.
Backs the oil and gas industry; has fought federal rules he says hurt Texas jobs.
Climate rules
Wrote a 2021 bill to cut Texas emissions 90% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Has repeatedly sued the EPA to block air, water and emissions rules, including the methane fee.
Side-by-side drawn from the sources listed below.
Key facts
- Gas and power prices are up. U.S. and Texas electricity prices rose more than 30% in five years, and national gas prices are about $4.30 to $4.40 a gallon. Capital & Main / Texas Tribune
- Only 15% of the 38 million U.S. households eligible for LIHEAP got help in 2025. Texas and California have the most eligible households left out. Capital & Main / Texas Tribune
- A Rice University engineering professor said the two campaigns talk about energy costs in remarkably similar ways despite very different records. Capital & Main / Texas Tribune
- Among voters whose top issue is cost of living, Talarico leads Paxton 65% to 35%. CBS News/YouGov poll
Join the conversation
Public posts and news coverage where Texans are talking about this issue.
FacebookGroup discussion: Texas gas taxNewsTexas gas prices dip, national average remains near record · FOX 7 AustinNewsRising gas prices frustrate voters · ABC NewsNewsWhen will gas prices go down? · Yahoo FinanceQuoraWhen will food and gas prices go back down?