California Could Reverse Last Year’s Gas and Diesel Tax Hike

What the Initiative Does

California Proposition 6, the Voter Approval for Future Gas and Vehicle Taxes and 2017 Tax Repeal Initiative, would repeal the gas and diesel tax increase and vehicle fees that were enacted in 2017 and require voter approval for future fuel tax and vehicle fee increases.

The gas tax bill that Proposition 6 would repeal, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (RRAA), raised California’s gas tax by 12 cents a gallon on gasoline, and 20 cents a gallon on diesel. It also imposed a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25-175, depending on a vehicle’s value. Finally, it added an $100 annual fee on electric cars that don’t burn gas.

In Favor

The gas and diesel tax hike is increasing the cost of Californians’ commutes to work, and the revenue isn’t being used appropriately. It would be better for the average Californian if this tax increase was repealed, and politicians forced to fix infrastructure with existing funds.

Opposed

The additional revenue that the gas and diesel tax hike brings in is desperately needed for road maintenance, bridge repair, and other critical infrastructure to keep people safe on California’s roads. California has used gas tax revenue to fund public transportation and roads in the past, and should continue to do so now.

In-Depth

Yes on Prop 6, Repeal the Gas Tax, launched by Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member, is leading the campaign in support of Proposition 6 with the support of the California Republican Party, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and both state and national Republicans. Supporters claim that “the typical family of four” stands to save $779.28 in taxes should Proposition 6 pass. They also argue that the current use of gas tax revenue to fund rail projects and local bus systems is inappropriate. Since drivers pay gas taxes, supporters of Proposition 6 argue that gas tax money should only be spent on road repairs or construction of new roads — projects that serve drivers exclusively.

DeMaio rejects the claim that Proposition 6 could jeopardize infrastructure repairs, and argues that it is in fact the only way to get roads fixed:

“We want our roads fixed. A yes vote on Prop 6 is the only way to really fix the roads because what we're saying to the politicians is, 'We know you're lying to us. We know that you already have enough money and we're not giving you a single penny more until you fix our roads with the existing money.”

No on Prop 6: Stop the Attack on Bridge & Road Safety, which was previously organized as The Coalition to Protect Local Transportation Improvements, is leading the campaign in opposition to Proposition 6 with the support of Gov. Jerry Brown (D), the California Democratic Party, American Lung Association in California, California Labor Federation AFL-CIO, and others. Gov. Brown says:

“I can’t believe the proponents of this ballot measure really want Californians to keep driving on lousy roads and dangerous bridges. Taking billions of dollars a year from road maintenance and repair borders on insanity.”

Gov. Brown adds that keeping RRAA, and the attendant revenues that it raises for public infrastructure, is a matter of safety:

“This flawed and dangerous measure pushed by Trump’s Washington allies jeopardizes the safety of millions of Californians by stopping local communities from fixing their crumbling roads and bridges."

Summary by Lorelei Yang

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / MajaMitrovic)