7 Things: A ban on Russian oil would drive up gas prices as war continues, Alabama drivers are paying 106% more since 2020 for fuel and more …

7. There’s only a 5% positivity rate now for COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has been considered over and done for some time now, but the Alabama Department of Health has announced that for the first time since June 2021, the positivity rate for coronavirus tests in the state is less than 5%.
The month of January saw a positivity rate of just over 45%. After the winter surge, there has been a steady decline of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, though. Some of this is credited to the virus variants being potentially less fatal, more vaccinations and natural decline after a spike.

6. Ivey sending COVID relief funds to fire departments

Governor Kay Ivey has selected $10 million worth of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act funding the state received to create grants that will benefit volunteer fire departments throughout Alabama.
Ivey said, “I am proud to have worked with the Alabama Legislature to direct these funds to good use as our local volunteer fire departments recover. I am pleased to support them and encourage them to take advantage of this program.”

5. Permitless carry needs more work

The Alabama Legislature has been considering a bill that would remove the statewide requirement for a concealed carry permit for firearms. The bill has been passed by the State House and was passed by the State Senate after modifications were made. Some House members are now asking that the changed bill not pass through the House.
State Representative Andrew Sorrell (R-Muscle Shoals) said that he wants to see the legislation go back to committee to make changes and work out issues within the legislation rather than the House passing changes made by the Senate.

4. House GOP Caucus advocating for better energy policy

A resolution has been introduced by State Representative Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) in the Alabama House Republican Caucus to push for President Joe Biden to change how he’s making decisions on energy issues, specifically calling for more independence.
Some of the requests within the resolution are more oil production in the United States and export energy “to Baltic countries, Germany and around the world.” The caucus added that Biden should “[p]rioritize securing United States borders by closing all border to illegal immigrants and deporting all illegal aliens.”

3. Gas prices rising uncontrollably

Since 2020, there has been a 106% average increase in the price of gasoline in Alabama, with the current average price at $3.91 per gallon, according to AAA Gas Prices. In 2020, a gallon of gas averaged only $1.89. Just as a reminder, this is not just a Ukraine situation — prices were going up before this latest crisis.
Due to this increase, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has advocated for opening the Keystone Pipeline, saying “A great economy starts with a great abundance and a secure oil and gas system. And President Biden is against that. He wants this country to be wind, solar, and electric…Climate change, he says, is our number one priority right now. I would beg to differ that the economy, foreign relations, the border, crime in our streets, education, is much farther ahead of climate change.”

2. White House desperate for oil solutions and looking everywhere but U.S.

As issues with Russia continue and inflation does no favors for gas prices, President Biden may ask Saudi Arabia for assistance. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has criticized this possibility, saying, “Our response to Putin’s immoral war shouldn’t be to strengthen our relationship with the Saudis who are currently causing the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet in Yemen.”
Since the importing of Russian oil continues, the American energy production continues to be artificially limited (despite Democrat talking points), and the White House continues to try to figure out a messaging solution to a problem they have absolutely created on their own. The latest suggestion comes from Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who argued in favor of electric vehicles. He advised, “[R]ural to suburban to urban communities can all benefit from the gas savings of driving an EV.”

1. Support for ending Russian imports of oil grows

There is bipartisan support for the end of Russian oil imports at this time among the political leadership of the country. U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) are just some of the lawmakers across the country calling for the end of these imports.
It is not just politicians. The American people say it needs to be shut off as well. A new poll shows that roughly 70% of Americans want to get off Russian oil right now, but, as with the No-Fly Zone, it is unclear if Americans realize the steep price of such a measure. In this case, the cost is much higher gas prices, which is much better than the risk of World War III we would face with a move to a No-Fly Zone.