A bipartisan group of California lawmakers is calling for the suspension of the state’s 51-cent gas tax, but the timing of the letter makes it a long shot.
They are asking Democratic Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon to move AB 2457 out of committee “to be taken up for debate and a vote on the Assembly Floor before the House of Origin Deadline.”
JUST IN : California’s Assembly members ask for Speaker Anthony Rendon’s support to pass a bill suspending the state gas tax indefinitely.
It would need to be approved on the Assembly floor tomorrow to meet key ‘House of Origin’ deadline. pic.twitter.com/6nwz2w8XyF
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) May 26, 2022
California’s state average gasoline price is now $6.07/gallon for regular unleaded.
The state’s gas tax will also increase in July.
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) May 26, 2022
It is now Friday and the deadline means that the matter must be moved quickly if it is to come to fruition. However, Democrats must still convince others to sign the letter to repeal the tax. The tax is expected to rise by 3 cents each day from July 1st, Fox 40 reported.
California’s average gas price is $6.07 per gallon. A suspension could instantly help Californians save money. Even though gas will still be very expensive, the dollars that could be saved could mean a big difference to some drivers.
“All of these pressures make a $7+ gallon a real possibility, which would cripple mobility in the state,” the letter said.
“All Californians would feel these prices, but they would have the most severe impact on the poor and working-class families who are more likely to face longer commutes because of the high cost of housing near the state’s largest job centers.”
Republicans have been begging the state’s Democratic supermajority to repeal the gas tax outright for years, especially with Proposition 6 in 2018. The state Republicans renewed their request after gas prices in the United States soared due to poor energy policy, increased demand, and inflation. Instead, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard-left allies in the legislature are busy debating a rebate check, CapRadio reported. Democrats are more inclined to hand out cash than admit faults (see: the Employment Development Department fraud controversy).
“With a $97.5B surplus, there’s no reason to reject bipartisan proposals by the Problem Solvers Caucus calling for immediate relief at the pump. Californians, who are hardworking and willing to work for their state, are facing high living costs. This is especially true in my rural region where many commute by the freeways.” Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron tweeted.
With a $97.5B surplus, there’s no reason to reject bipartisan proposals by the Problem Solvers Caucus calling for immediate relief at the pump. Hardworking Californians are struggling w high costs especially in my rural district, where many hit the freeways for long commutes!
— Marie Waldron (@MarieWaldron75) May 25, 2022
Suspending the gas tax is the simplest and fastest way to save Californian’s cash at the pump, and even some Democrats understand that. It is much safer than handing out checks and there’s almost no possibility of fraud. It’s too easy, which is why the assembly will likely let the bill die.
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