For the new year, a confluence of oil-related realities suggests a pervasive impact on the economy in general, and consumer behavior in particular.

The Arkansas Policy Foundation is being recognized this month for its 20th anniversary. Formed in 1995, the foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that analyzes the impact of public policy in Arkansas and its impact on Arkansans and makes action-oriented recommendations.

Arkansans have realized we can neither wait nor rely on Congress to adequately address highway or transportation infrastructure needs. States must address this issue themselves.

How often do you hear a response from someone hired to deliver customer service that rings a bit hollow? Or that doesn’t quite match the situation or your triggering expression (like “thank you”)? Seems to me, it’s too often.

Gas taxes are the fairest, simplest way to fund good roads. But revenue from the per-gallon consumption tax is declining because vehicles are using less gas. And consumption will continue to fall as cars and trucks become ever more efficient.

Donald Trump. Man or myth? Well, 69-year-old Donald John Trump is certainly a living, breathing, human male — a man. But there has also been cultivated over time a mythical-like aura associated with the Trump name. Or, more importantly, the Trump brand name. What does the Trump brand stand for? What is its worth, its value?

Arkansas consumers recognize the importance of smoother and safer roads. Consumers get it. And here’s hoping the new Highway Funding Working Group assembled by Gov. Asa Hutchinson gets it, too.

It’s a puzzlement. Over the past 12 months, most economists around the country have predicted major growth in consumer spending because of the decline in gasoline prices. It seemed logical to us. In fact, we have commented in this space on such things as the “gas price dividend” and on research showing where consumers have spent their increased discretionary income because of lower costs at the pump.

Five current trends in packaging in soft drinks may be measuring up for shoppers. You no doubt have noticed a relatively new Coca-Cola can, much smaller than the 12-ounce package. That’s the size consumers became used to as the result of a 1955 test-market program for export to American military personnel stationed overseas.

Arkansas consumers have not been shy about expressing their opinions concerning road conditions. Recent research findings — as well as online comments, letters to the editors of local newspapers and conversations over coffee or other adult beverages — have given rise to a collective angst.

Consumers unite! Wait. They are united. At least when it comes to video as part of the consumer experience. In fact, they demand the information conveyed through embedded visual technologies when making preference or purchase decisions.

The highest average recorded price of regular gasoline at the pump in Arkansas is $3.97. That pinnacle was reached in July 2008. More important, however, is the fact that only one year ago, the average price was $3.09. And today, the average at-the-pump price of regular is $1.90. There exists in the Arkansas economy today a gas price dividend. And that means weekly consumer savings of at least $15.25. So how are you spending the extra money? Or how should you?

The consequence of low prices at the pump is a gasoline dividend, which is being paid to Arkansas motorists and their households every time a tank is filled. In addition to general retail spending and the state sales tax collections that go with it, here are three specific outcomes of the dividend we should be looking for.

November is finally here. The can’t-end-soon-enough political advertising, polls and phone calls are coming to an end. Congratulations to the political winners. It’s now your job to be the kind of stewards of public policy that give consumers the very best opportunities to participate in a growing Arkansas economy — and spend.

You’ve seen the arrows in other columns. An “up” arrow for OK, a “down” arrow for not OK. Since these icons have been used elsewhere, I have long thought they were the province of others. No longer. There really is no good reason why I can’t employ a similar device as an efficient way to comment on, and perhaps rant about, a number of random consumer-related influences. So, here goes.

Millennials are quintessential comparison shoppers. The Internet provides the means. They are value seekers, aware of price, but also desirous of quality. A validation of this notion was seen in the research on Millennials that Goldman Sachs conducted last September. When young women ages 13 to 29 were asked to list their most popular brands, both Target and Louis Vuitton were in the top 20!

Whether you’re a family with school-age children, a college student or just a smart shopper, back-to-school — BTS — means making the most of every dollar for everything from school supplies and clothes to shoes, appliances and furniture. Consumer research indicates that BTS shoppers are most interested in getting more for less. They expect it. That’s why smart retailers should be launching their best promotions right now, during August.

Voters are political consumers. They make a purchasing decision with their votes. At every election, the political consumer decides whether or not to buy what the candidate is selling. If they like what they see and hear, they vote for it. If not, they either don’t show up at the polls or, if they do, they vote against it.

Are some entities suffering by not adding to their payment options? The answer, of course, is yes.

Just in the past four months, since our original column on the subject, cities and states have been moving rapidly to address criticism of e-cigarette use and users by prohibiting certain sales as well as use of the devices indoors.