The drop in gasoline prices is equivalent to $100 per month or a $1,200 annual pay raise for the average driver, according to economist Dr. Ray Perryman, president of the Waco-based economic research firm, the Perryman Group.  He predicted Tyler and East Texas’ economy would show a 2.3% increase in employment in the next 5 years and about a 4.6% increase in output.  Perryman said strengthening of the dollar, politics, OPEC decisions and issues between Russia and Ukraine are contributing to this.  Since our area is so DIVERSIFIED we should proceed along as he  predicted.