Home California Prop 6: Effort to Repeal California Gas Tax Fails

Prop 6: Effort to Repeal California Gas Tax Fails

by ECT

On Tuesday, California voters rejected Proposition 6, an attempt to repeal the 12-cent gas tax increase which would have removed $5 billion in annual funding for road repair and transportation funding.

Overall, just 44.6% supported the repeal while 55.4% said they were in favor of keeping the tax. Specially in Contra Costa County, only 36.03% of voters supported the repeal.

SB-1 was created to help pay for an estimated $67 billion backlog in highway, bridge and road repair. 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.

Had Proposition 6 been repealed, it would have meant a reduction in funding which would have eliminated or delayed road projects across the state.

At the October 1 Pittsburg City Council meeting, it was stated if Prop 6 was repealed, the City would lose more than $1 million in funding for much needed planned construction.

Also in October, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved their 7-year Capital Road Improvement and Preservation Program.  It was during the meeting they stated if Prop 6 was repealed they would lose $21.8 million in anticipated funding.

Several projects were on the chopping block including:

  • Vasco Road and Bryon Highway Improvements
  • Route 239 – Vasco Road/Byron Highway Connector Project
  • Marsh Creek Road Safety Improvements
  • Camino Tassajara Bike Lane Gap Closure
  • Marsh Creek Road Bridge Replacement (Bridge 143& 145)
  • Bryon Highway Bridge Replacement

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3 comments

Tom Nov 7, 2018 - 8:00 am

I believe the outcome would have been different, had prop 6 been presented in a different wording, like “Repeal Gas Tax” yes/no.

Wayne Nov 7, 2018 - 9:25 am

Failing to repeal Prop 6 just shows you how many idiots there are in California.

I guess these fools enjoy paying almost $4 a gallon in some areas and over $4 a gallon in other parts of the state.

And of course the people elected another moron to be Governor for the next four years.

Taxation without representation Nov 7, 2018 - 10:18 am

That’s our government. Many will be sorry when this sets precident that taxes can be added without a vote of the people. California voters missed the point on this one. Can’t wait for the next tax shoved down our throats without a vote of the people. DA voters.

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