Reform California Chairman Carl DeMaio blasts state politicians as “stunningly out-of-touch” by deciding to increase the state gas tax as working families struggle with higher fuel costs. DeMaio is leading a fight to suspend the California gas tax – which would provide an immediate $1.26 reduction in price of gas per gallon
California Democrats this week announced that they plan to proceed forward with yet another increase in the state’s gas tax – even as gas prices have hit records in recent weeks. The shocking decision comes amidst growing calls to actually suspend the state’s gas tax to provide relief for struggling families.
“I thought I had seen it all from these tax-and-spend politicians, but this is truly outrageous,” says Carl DeMaio, Chairman of Reform California. “The last thing we need is a hike in the state’s gas tax at a time when we see record fuel prices hurting working families across the state,” DeMaio noted.
California gas prices now stand at a costly 5.57 per gallon average - roughly $1.50 more than the national average! The decision by California Democrats to raise the gas tax will add another 3 cents per gallon as of July 1.
Even though working families are struggling to survive, CA Democrats said the state “could not afford” not to raise the gas tax again on July 1. The increased gas tax will bring in $500 million to the state’s general fund – which already has a $46 billion surplus.
DeMaio says the state should use that surplus to provide immediate relief to working families at the pump. That’s why DeMaio has launched a grassroots campaign to suspend all state gas taxes through his “Gas Tax Holiday” proposal. (Sign up at www.GasTaxPetition.org)
DeMaio’s proposal would suspend three costly state gas taxes:
- Suspend the Gas Excise Tax: 51.1 cents per gallon
- Suspend the Gas Cap & Trade Tax: 40-50 cents per gallon
- Suspend the Sales Tax on Gas: 20-25 cents per gallon
Total Immediate Savings to Californians: $1.11-1.26 per gallon
DeMaio says the average California family will save over $215 per month immediately under his proposal.
DeMaio also says his proposed “Gas Tax Holiday” proposal would also give national policymakers time to change their misguided policies and finally let oil and gas companies ramp up domestic production. Industry experts warn it could take 8-12 months for domestic production to increase.
“Working families are getting crushed, and state politicians must provide immediate and direct relief by suspending the state’s high gas tax,” said DeMaio.
DeMaio says he believes California Democrats are making a “big mistake” by raising the gas tax and refusing to act on a gas tax suspension. “We’ll see if voters remember this all in November,” DeMaio warns.
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