Commentary
California Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) is one of the architects of The California Promise, a six point set of political priorities unveiled by the state’s Republican Party in October. First among these is “An Affordable California,” and first in that category is “Repeal Gas Tax.”
To emphasize this priority even further, on top of Gallagher’s home page, a counter has been installed, showing how long it’s been “Since Newsom & Democrats Promised Gas Tax Relief.” As of this moment on the afternoon of Dec. 9, that’s 275 days, 17 hours, 37 minutes, and 18 seconds.
It would be great to have a gas tax holiday in California. It is a regressive tax that adds, per gallon, 54 cents in state excise tax, 23 cents for California’s cap-and-trade program, 18 cents for the state’s low-carbon fuel program, and 2 cents for underground gas storage fees, plus state and local sales taxes. Altogether this equals—not including another 18.4 cents in federal excise tax, and give or take a few cents depending on local sales tax rates—$1.20 to the price of every gallon of gasoline you buy….