Home California California Legislator Passes Transportation Bill, Gas Tax Set to Increase

California Legislator Passes Transportation Bill, Gas Tax Set to Increase

by ECT

On Thursday, the California State legislator passed a $52 billion transportation plan that will raise the gas tax and increase fees to fund road projects.

The state Assembly voted 54-26 while the senate voted 27-11 which provided the two-third’s vote for a tax increase.

Under the legislation, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, SB 1 (Beall), invests $52.4 billion over the next decade by doing the following:

  • $7.3 billion by increasing diesel excise tax 20 cents
  • $3.5 billion by increasing diesel sales tax to 5.75 percent
  • $24.4 billion by increasing gasoline excise tax 12 cents
  • $16.3 billion from an annual transportation improvement fee based on a vehicle’s value
  • $200 million from an annual $100 Zero Emission Vehicle fee commencing in 2020.
  • $706 million in General Fund loan repayments.

Republican assemblyman Jay Obernolte took to Twitter stating:

Senate passes SB 1. Apparently Dems are ok w/ increasing gas taxes by 70% on Californians who are already struggling to make ends meet.

It’s a 19.5 cent/gallon gas tax increase, a 20 cent/gallon diesel excise tax increase, and a 4% diesel sales tax increase.

Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher also took to twitter saying “If roads were a priority for the majority party, why didn’t they use any of the $36B in new revenue over the past 6 years to ?”

Republican Assemblywomen Melissa Melendez also noted via twitter that, “Senate & Assembly will pass SB1 raising fuel tax/vehicle tax. In xchange 4 their vote they get $$ for pet projects for their district mm”

Locally, Senator Steve Glazer and Catharine Baker voted against the bill while Assemblyman Jim Frazier voted yes.

Meanwhile, Jim Frazier’s AC-5 passed with support. Under the Bill, it protects revenues derived from vehicle fees to be used only for transportation purposes.

Here is a statement by the California Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon:

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement in response to the legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 1 to address California’s transportation infrastructure:

“Today, after decades of inaction, the legislature approved a fiscally responsible plan to address our decrepit transportation infrastructure. This bipartisan compromise includes strict accountability measures and closes our massive transportation funding shortfalls – without burdening future generations with debt. These investments will create good-paying jobs, improve traffic safety and expand public transit access in communities across the state.

“Once again, California stands in stark contrast with Washington, D.C. Senate Bill 1 should serve as a model of responsible governance for Congress and the Trump administration as they consider new infrastructure spending. Americans cannot afford a trillion dollar tax boondoggle. 

“I’m extremely proud and grateful for the work of our Transportation Committee Chairman, Senator Jim Beall. This bill is the culmination of two years of difficult negotiations and dozens of public hearings in every corner of our state, and it would not have been possible without his leadership and dedication.

“I want to thank Speaker Rendon for his invaluable partnership; Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman, Jim Frazier, for his expertise and his tireless efforts to craft this bill; all of the members in both chambers who took decisive action to solve this pressing challenge; and Governor Brown, whose leadership was critical to breaking the multi-decade gridlock.”

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9 comments

ANON Apr 7, 2017 - 11:25 am

THIS IS SUCH BS WE NEED TO VOTE OUT THE ONES WHO SAID YES TO THIS BS BILL. WE ALREADY PAY TAXES FOR ROADS AND REPAIR . WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING ?

Pam Apr 7, 2017 - 11:38 am

The money is going to a few people who are getting rich on the stupid high speed train that will never be what was promised! I totally agree with you that we need to vote OUT anyone who supported this including the clueless Jim Frazier!

The_Dude Apr 7, 2017 - 12:59 pm

Well no one ever accuses libtards of being overly-smart thats for sure

Ed Apr 7, 2017 - 3:23 pm

This pdoves People before Politics was nothing more than hollow retoric from Frazier. If he followed and supported his constituents wishes he would have followed Senator Glazier and voted no.

Frazier is two faced and needs to be put out of our misery.

Gary Gilbert Apr 7, 2017 - 6:18 pm

Democrats believe they can tax their way out of any situation and they wonder why people are leaving California?

This is just stupid. We pay more individual taxes than state. Jerry Brown and every Democrat in Sacramento are idiots!!!!!!!!!

California Legislators that voted for this are done!!! Apr 7, 2017 - 6:22 pm

Typical CROOKS, government buying votes at our expense to pass a measure they know is wrong. F U !!! Is all I have to say. You are no good political roof rats taking from those that feed you. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Get your hammer Jimmy Apr 7, 2017 - 6:24 pm

Jimmy is done

Jimmies hammer Apr 7, 2017 - 10:15 pm

Jumbo Jimmy has no shame. Anyone that runs across this rat b@stard walks away calling him a bully and a narcissist. They don’t like him in Sacramento and we don’t like him here. Maybe he will move to Solano County. Could we be that lucky? They haven’t really met him yet.

Trish Apr 7, 2017 - 11:53 pm

We all just got Fraziere’d ……

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