Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) issued the following statement after Senate Democrats passed Senate Joint Resolution 5 (SJR) which urges Congress and the U.S. President to increase the federal gas tax. Senate Republicans voted against SJR 5 because gas taxes disproportionately burden low-income motorists who typically own less fuel efficient vehicles, and have longer commutes because of the state’s lack of affordable housing.
“The average California family spends more than $1,000 a year on gas taxes and thanks to the car and gas tax advocated by legislative Democrats in 2017, our state is the highest taxed in the nation when it comes to our gasoline. With our housing crisis and affordability issues, families are forced to have longer commutes driving to and from work and another tax will only further burden them.
“Legislative Democrats continue to push bad policies that hurt California families. They have already taxed our air, tires and cell phones. California is already unaffordable and higher gas taxes would only make it worse for our families.
“I am proud that Senate Republicans are united and fighting in Sacramento for our hardworking families,” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.
Under SB 1:
In 2017, legislative Democrats advocated for Senate Bill 1 that was passed and signed in to law by Governor Brown. SB 1 is a $5.2 billion annual tax increase with no sunset date.
- July 1, 2019: California drivers started to pay an additional 5.6 cents in gas taxes at the pump.
- January 1, 2018: Registration fees went up between $25 to $175.
- November 1, 2017: The gas tax increased by 12 cents per gallon and 20 cents per gallon for diesel fuel.
- Anywhere between 25% to 40% of the new taxes are being allocated for projects that do not include road repairs.