POMEROY – Eastern Washington lawmakers are taking issue with a move by Gov. Jay Inslee to blame oil companies for skyrocketing fuel prices.

Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, said inflated fuel prices are not because of big oil, but because of “big government gouging Washingtonians.”

Her comments followed a July 20 gubernatorial press conference on why Washington has the highest prices for gasoline in the nation.

As of press time Tuesday, July 25, Washington had the highest average price for regular gasoline at $4.86 per gallon.

That was 2 cents higher than California, at $4.84, and $1.02 more...