The state of Kansas taxes gasoline at the rate of 24 cents per gallon. It doesn't matter if the gallon costs $1 or $4, 24 cents is what Topeka pulls in.

Yet legislators want to study the effect state policy has on the current high prices paid at the pump. The Special Committee on Energy and Environmental Policy has been tasked with reviewing the situation and delivering recommendations for the Legislature to consider during the 2009 session.

While we can't imagine a bigger waste of time, Rep. Joe Patton, R-Topeka, sees it differently.

"You always have the issues involving: Do we have proper incentives and programs to encourage other types of programs that would lessen our dependence on foreign oil?" Patton said. "I think I have a responsibility to at least bring the players to the table and see what, if anything, we can do about it."

Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, agrees with Patton: "We wanted to make sure that there's not some barrier that we've got that we've set up artificially that's hampering prices in Kansas."

Even Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, said: "We understand that the state can't solve the gas problem, but we should look at it and see if there's a place where we can help a little."

We want to focus on Ward's first premise. The state cannot do anything about global crude oil production. It can't do anything about the weakened dollar or the fact oil is traded in dollars. Kansas cannot make the Iraq War go away or stabilize the Middle East. It can't change the rules governing futures trading.

All Topeka controls is 24 cents per gallon -- and that money is used to fund highway projects.

If legislators are serious about saving taxpayers money, we have a suggestion. Nix this meaningless study before it begins.

Editorial by Patrick Lowry

plowry@dailynews.net