High Gas Prices Good for Rialto

Gas prices are way up, frustrating many a driver, but one Inland Empire city couldn't be happier when fuel prices spike.

By Craig Fiegener and Julie Brayton
|  Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012  |  Updated 6:39 PM PDT
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High Gas Prices Good for Rialto

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High Gas Prices Good for Rialto

Gas prices are way up and frustrating many drivers, but one Inland Empire city couldn't be happier when fuel prices spike.

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One gallon at a time, any spike in gas prices helps to fuel the budget in the City of Rialto.

It turns out that the largest chunk of Rialto's annual revenue comes from gasoline sales taxes, and that can add up to millions of dollars.

Rialto even awards trophies to its top generating gas stations.

"We ranked in the top 25 for sales tax producers for the city of Rialto," said gas station owner Claude Shamaah.

Rialto is home to about 100,000 people, and without significant retail, it's the pump that keeps Rialto going.

"Sometimes our schools suffer, and if that makes a difference? Fine," said president John Sanchez.

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Posted Feb 22, 2012
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