An effort by California Republicans to suspend the state’s gas tax failed Monday after being shot down by Democrats.
Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, introduced Assembly Bill 1638, which would have suspended California’s gas tax for half a year.
“We are offering the legislature the chance to be on the side of hard-working Californians by suspending the state gas tax in its entirety,” Kiley said at a news conference.
Also at the conference were Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk, Assemblymember Suzette Valladares, R-Santa Clarita, and Sen. Brian Jones, R-Santee.
Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have also said they want to help Californians but are not open to suspending the state’s gas tax.
Newsom pitched the idea of suspending July’s upcoming gas tax increase, but last week he suggested keeping it and reimbursing individuals through rebate checks.
The vote failed 40 to 18 in the Assembly. “Today the Republican and Independent Members of the Assembly voted to save Californians 51 cents per gallon by suspending the gas tax. In addition, 18 members abstained from the vote,” Kiley said.
“Unfortunately, the Supermajority rounded up enough votes to deny struggling Californians this modest measure of relief. Our state’s political leadership has never been so out of touch,” he added.
Erin Mellon, Newsom’s communications director, said the proposal can “be manipulated to help line the pockets of petro-dictatorship and oil companies who are benefiting from the spike in oil prices across the world. The Governor has proposed a tax rebate to provide billions in direct relief to Californians who are suffering from rising gas prices across the country, a direct result of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war”.
