Gavin’s Gas Tax Moves Forward Amid Economic Crisis

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) issued the following response after Governor Newsom announced a new proposal that will inevitably increase gas prices for consumers, thus it is being dubbed “Gavin’s Gas Tax:”

“As the saying goes, ‘If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.’ As Governor Newsom attempts to hide his efforts behind clever words, Californians will see what this for what it really is—a gas tax increase amid record-high inflation and an economic downturn. 

"Historical evidence shows that ‘Gavin’s Gas Tax’ will be directly passed onto consumers and increase gas prices. If the governor is looking to lower gas prices, I encourage him to consider my measures that would suspend the gas tax and immediately lower gas prices by $1 per gallon.” 

While the governor pushes to increase gas taxes, Leader Jones has two measures that would suspend California’s gas taxes and fees, and immediately reduce gas prices by $1 per gallon. SB 32 and SBX1-1 are both in the Senate Rules Committee awaiting assignment to a policy committee for a hearing.