SACRAMENTO—State Republican lawmakers attempted to suspend the 51 cents-per-gallon gas tax on March 24—but were denied again. Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) introduced Assembly Bill 1638 in January which would have immediately shut down the statewide gas tax. However, the bill failed in the state assembly on March 14. The bill was attempted to be reintroduced March 24, but was denied a hearing on an urgency order during a 48–18 vote, with Democrats voting to not hear it. Instead, the legislation will be heard in an assembly committee on a different date. “Today, once again, republicans pushed to have an immediate suspension of the gas tax,” Sen. Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) wrote on Twitter. “And once again, democrats voted no.” The effort by Kiley comes a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an $11 billion proposal to ease the burdens of rising gas prices on Californians. The proposal includes a $400 …