Proposal to pause the CA gas tax is rejected
State lawmakers and residents are reacting to the rejection of a proposal to pause the California state gas tax. A Republican-backed idea to put a six-month suspension on the state's 50 cents per gallon tax was widely rejected by Democrats in the California Assembly on Monday.
Gas prices are at record highs in California, and the proposal to pause gas tax was voted down by a Democratic majority Monday. Coachella Valley Assemblymembers were divided on the issue.
Democratic Assembly Member, Eduardo Garcia, voted to keep the gas tax in place, and shared his thoughts on the bill with News Channel 3 in the following statement,
“Governor Newsom and the Legislature are working to both freeze gas tax increases and to offer a type of rebate or aid program to help get money back in the pockets of Californians through our state budget process. This is a serious issue impacting our daily lives, and we are fully focused on finding the best way to offer urgent relief for residents. The act brought forward yesterday not only would not have achieved this but was initiated by Assemblymember Kevin Kiley, who unsuccessfully challenged Newsom for Governor and has currently set his sights on Congress, as a means to score political points and sow discord to distract from the substantive policy actions, and collaboration already underway on this issue. This is not the time to play political games. We all need to put party politics aside, come to the table, and put in the work to protect residents.”
Response from Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella)
On the other hand Independent Assemblymember, Chad Mayes, voted to suspend the state's gas tax and shared with in a statement,
I voted to suspend the gas tax. Because we have one party rule in Sacramento, this bill was destined to fall short. The vote was more a statement of principal for each legislator. I voted yes because Californians deserve relief, but I know full well that a more robust debate will take place in the days ahead and I plan to be in the center of that.
Response from Assemblymember, Chad Mayes (I-Rancho Mirage)
MORE: Find the lowest gas prices in the Coachella Valley
Assembly 1638 was first proposed in January. Republican leaders called for support and a vote Monday. The assembly members said the 51-cent per gallon tax should be suspended during a time of record-high gas prices, and while the state has a 45-billion-dollar surplus.
State Senator Melissa Melendez chimed in on Twitter after the failed vote, sharing an image of the voting tally that showed local Assemblymember votes including Chad Mayes (I) who voted for the measure and Eduardo Garcia (D) who voted against the temporary gas tax suspension.
Today we asked the legislature to stand up for constituents and suspend the gas tax.
— Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) March 14, 2022
The democrat majority party said no.
So be sure to thank a democrat next time you fill up your tank. pic.twitter.com/snJgc20yYc
Speaking to reporters in Sacramento yesterday, they said the proposal is to suspend the gas tax and backfill projects from the surplus to provide relief to the state's drivers.
"In many places is over six dollars now a gallon in California. It's time to give Californians much-needed relief from these high costs. And we can do that." said Assemblyman James Gallagher. "And that's why we wanna fast-track this legislation today to the floor for a vote. This would provide instantly a 50-cent per gallon relief to California consumers."
Governor Gavin Newsom has called for suspending a planned July increase in the gas tax and recently has said he's considering a rebate to all car owners suffering from the high price of gas.
MORE: Newsom proposes gas tax rebate as California prices hit highest in the nation
