As California gas prices increase with new tax, GOP candidates see opportunity with repeal efforts
The price of gas spiked 12 cents per gallon in California earlier this month, as a result of the Democrat-backed transportation bill that now puts the Golden State in front of Hawaii for the highest gas prices in the nation.Under Senate Bill 1, $5.2 billion is designated annually to repair roads and bridges in the state, in addition to provide more funding for mass transit projects.
“Safe and smooth roads make California a better place to live and strengthen our economy,” Gov. Jerry Brown said back in April. “This legislation will put thousands of people to work.”
With the new law, it brings the total tax at the pump to 36 cents per gallon.
Republicans have blasted the law, using it as more fuel for arguments that the Legislature is using the taxpayer to bail out wasteful spending in Sacramento.
“Thanks to Gov. Brown and the out-of-control California Legislature … every California commuter will be reminded how Sacramento’s failure to govern directly impacts their pocketbook,” Jack Pandol, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement. “California families living paycheck-to-paycheck will hold Democrats accountable for this regressive tax on the poor.”
Democrats argue the tax increase is needed to fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure, noting that the last gas tax hike was 23 years ago. But the GOP maintains that monies are available in the general fund and that Sacramento should ditch the long-plagued bullet train project to focus strictly on road and bridge improvements.
“California’s #SB1 gas tax increases kick-in today,” Rep. Mimi Walters, R-Calif., added on social media. And it’s time we hold Sacramento Dems accountable.”
But despite the outrage from Republicans, the tax may provide an opportunity to boost turnout in the upcoming elections, as two gas tax repeal efforts are already taking shape – plans that could get fiscally conservative voters to the polls.
One measure is being backed by Orange County state assemblyman and gubernatorial candidate Travis Allen and would simply repeal the increase.
Another is backed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and San Diego businessman John Cox, also running as a Republican for governor. This plan would not only get rid of the increase, but also necessitate voter approval on any other efforts to raise the tax.
While the GOP candidates are lambasting the tax, behind closed doors they may be eager for an opportunity to drum up support – and increase their name recognition – with the initiatives. Because California is a jungle primary system, it’s possible that a Republican may not even be on the ballot in the general election in the overwhelmingly liberal state.
An intense and high-profile battle over the gas tax could bring out voters who may stay home otherwise – and have them vote for down-ballot Republicans in the process.
But still, powerful interests stand in the way, as groups like the influential California Chamber of Commerce, traditionally heavy backers of Republicans, are already warning GOP lawmakers in Congress to stay out of the fight because “with so much at stake, our organizations will have no option but to mount a robust and powerful effort in opposition to this initiative, using the voice of the California business community to counter your efforts.”
Furthermore, the tax rebellion may not be as strong as anticipated. For example, a new poll from Probolsky Research finds that 54 percent of voters actually support keeping it.
But still, proponents of a repeal are using the issue as a way to show voters that they have an opportunity to hold Sacramento accountable on fiscal issues in the state.
“There is already plenty of money to fix our roads but political elites and special interests wanted another blank check from California taxpayers,” Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association wrote in the OC Register. “For now, they have it. But come November 2018, voters might tear up that check by repealing these burdensome tax hikes.”
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We should always remember that the larger cities’ Chambers of Commerce AND their “Taxpayers Associations” are there to promote the interests of primarily big business (who pays the operating costs for these groups). They do NOT represent small business, or most taxpayers.
Each outfit is run by primarily the construction industry, plus a cabal of other special interest groups — INCLUDING both government agency bureaucrats and labor union bosses. Check out any group’s board of directors for verification.
The LAST thing these fat cat “rent seekers” care about is a gas tax that hammers the working folks of California.
The Chamber of Commerce threatens that it will use “the voice of the California business community” to oppose repealing the gas tax. No, the C of C does NOT represent MOST businesses.
They ARE powerful because of their FUNDING by big business, but they too often operate in OPPOSITION to what’s beneficial to small business.
Yeah,good comments, Richard. One would think the Chamber of Crony Commerce would realize what is good for their customers is good for their business. More money in customers pockets means more stuff bought from businesses. It appears they are wholly owned by the big globalist corporations against the interests of the folk. This is especially true here in Cali where the D-Rat establishment constantly threatens CC and companies with new regulations and taxes unless they go along with their efforts to screw the taxpayers. Witness the new push back against fuel tax repeal and the CC threat to punish republicans at the polls. Their Dem handlers told them this is what they had to do or else. In the past, the CC went along the passage AB 32 and its extension which will impose crushing new taxes,energy costs on the middle class and working poor.
These folks are stupidly out for themselves and its time we the people start pushing back. When I see the little gold CC sticker on the door of a business, I do my business elsewhere.
Keep in mind that the little businesses in the big C of C outfits have no say. Few if ANY small business owners are on the ruling board of directors. Those that ARE usually are rent seekers — architectural firms, government contract law partnerships, etc.
I agree with what you say but the repeal efforts won’t succeed. Most voters are either government workers or others who feed off the government teat and stand to benefit or if they don’t fall into those categories they are brainwashed sheep who will vote down the repeal efforts.
The majority of Colliefornia (as Ahnode would say) voters are willing to tax themselves into oblivion, wouldn’t you agree? History certainly bares that out.
“Under Senate Bill 1, $5.2 billion is designated annually to repair roads and bridges in the state”
This will not increase total dollars spent on roads by a single dime, not in an anti-car state like CA. Money is fungible: every dollar raised this way will cause one less dollar to be spent from the general fund. I suspect what will actually happen is public employee pay/benefits will increase by $5.2 billion.
Comrades
The Thurlingens, Vandals, Huns and those Bravehart Bros are up to their earlobs in monthly expenses…high rents, energy costs to the moon, sales tax, faux/overpriced corporate fast food, car fees, etc.
Pending enviro crackdowns due to recent fires will crack a bunch of hurting residents…….Iphone couple hundred bucks more…….hmmmm.
It seems the “washed” will survive….what about the rest of us?
Republican George Runner predicted in April that California’s gas tax hike would catapult the Golden State’s already high fuel prices to the “highest in the nation,” after the increase.
The trouble with liberal demacrats is they want taxes on everything from Bullets to Big Macs
i agree jerry brown has had over thrty years to fix the roads and hasnt done it yet.
alt right repubs want something for nothing– always—
no taxes
trickle down fantasy land
more gov spending
no courage to cut
racists
dull crowd
Could you name for us a republican office holder who favors the “no taxes” position that you claim is “always” an “alt right” tenet?
It’s a rhetorical question. Your posts never even ATTEMPT to be factual.
LOL– Richy– you kid right?
Lets start with every bonehead Trumpublican who wants to eliminate the state and local deduction or supports the trumpy bill that lowers the corp rate and cancels the ACA for millions. OF COURSE even you can see the analogue right? I mean I think you can—– cut for the rich donor class and screw the worker. ANY time they want to eliminate a deduction for the worker it’s a straight up gift to the wealthy— while it isn’t exactly no tax it is certainly on that side of the ledger little buddy.nAdmit it RR— you still believe in trickle down right?
Lets put the shoe on the other foot— What taxes do you think are fair for you to pay? How do you pay for the largess? Exactly….
Nice try, but too late. You lied, and now try to justify it.
What part of “no taxes” don’t you understand? It wasn’t ME who made that assertion. YOU did. Fortunately you never had any credibility to lose, and no one takes your posts seriously, little buddy.
I’ve seen more credible posts from bots.
I “lied” Richy??
Wow….I may have to call you the waaaaaambulance….You are pretty sensitive for internet posting debating don’t ya think? Maybe you’re not quite robust enough to argue out here with the readers?
Maybe you should stick to your comfy alt right Trumpy talking point posts?
Think about it little buddy….
Most people either forgot or are too young to remember that the last fuel tax increase in the 80’s was for roads and infrastructure. How much of that actually went for it’s stated use????????????? 0.
This increase will go into the general fund for liberal interests or state employee pension funds. You’ve been duped again. Congratulations.suckers.
We should also remember over 30% of the money for this tax increase does not go to roads but to the usual suspects instead. Bike lanes, transit systems and crony, green enviro groups.
We also need to remember Moonie and his Demo-looter buddies increased the state budget over $36 billion dollars during his latest tenure and not one penny went toward transportation.
Famous words from the green fanatical eco-fascist dick-tater Brown: ‘We will not raise taxes without a vote of the people.” This looney left jackass is a world class liar.
I don’t know. If we continue to implement the traditional Demo economic policy:
If it moves tax it. If it keeps moving regulate it. If it stops moving subsidize it.
Then we could probably make Cali Mexico again before America is great again.
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