We hope that Senator Kemp Hannon’s very timely suggestion that gasoline taxes be capped is taken up by his colleagues in the State Legislature. The unprecedented rise in gasoline prices this last week is placing a heavy burden on many working families. If there is a windfall in tax collections, that is money that should be either refunded to consumers or used to help the poor afford heat this winter, as the Senator suggests.

The rapidly rising prices will no doubt cause problems in school districts’ budgets as well. School districts spend large amounts of money keeping buildings heated and buses rolling. Since school districts had to complete their budgets in June, when no one expected this price spike, some districts may also be facing funding shortfalls. Perhaps the state government could consider helping at least the poorest districts make up the difference.

Of course, as we sit here in our safe homes and complain about the cost of gas, there are thousands of others in the New Orleans area who have lost everything. Our sympathies are with them, and we urge our readers to support the Red Cross and Salvation Army efforts to bring relief to the region.

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Meg Morgan Norris

Publisher