Senate Democrats recently failed to provide gas price relief when they killed Senate Bill 1156, which would have permanently eliminated the annual gas tax increase. SB 1156, authored by Bakersfield Republican Senator Shannon Grove, failed on a party-line vote during its first policy hearing in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.
With the gas tax set to climb from 51.1 cents to 53.9 cents per gallon on July 1, legislative Democrats have stubbornly refused to provide a lifeline for California drivers. While Democrats sit on their hands, Californians continue to pay the highest prices in the nation at $5.78 for a gallon of unleaded gas. (GasBuddy.com)
“The double whammy of steep inflation coupled with California’s already sky-high cost of living is breaking Californians,” said Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (Santa Clarita). “Republicans have been calling for a gas tax holiday since last July. Tone-deaf Democrats have hemmed, hawed, and promised relief but done absolutely nothing to help Californians. It’s deplorable.”
“It’s ironic that Sacramento Democrats refused to give taxpayers even the smallest of breaks when it comes to gas prices, yet they passed tax cuts for marijuana growers on the very same day my legislation died,” said Senator Grove. “This is another example of how the majority party’s agenda is disconnected from the reality that families live every day.”
Senate Republicans’ Efforts on Suspending the Gas Tax:
--June 2021: Senate Republicans called for a gas tax holiday.
--July 2021: Republican Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (Yucaipa) offered amendments formally requesting the suspension of the state gas tax and waiving an upcoming increase. Democrats failed to act then – just as they are failing to act now.
--January 2022: With another anticipated budget surplus, Senate Republicans released our priorities for 2022, including an urgent call once again for a gas tax holiday.
--March 2022: Senate Republicans doubled down on their calls for gas price relief. Such calls included formally requesting a gas tax holiday in the state budget, introducing legislation to reduce gas tax burdens, and calling on legislative budget committee chairs to take action amidst skyrocketing gas prices earlier this year.