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Democratic congressional candidates stand against California gas tax

August 27, 2018

With California’s gas tax becoming a hot issue in congressional races and constituencies in swing districts appearing to support a repeal, certain Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives are taking stands against the fuel tax. [Cal Coast Times]

Three Democrats running against incumbent Republican congressmen have recently criticized California’s gas tax increase, which is currently the subject of a repeal effort. One of the three Democratic congressional candidates has gone so far as to endorse Proposition 6, the initiative calling for a repeal of the gas tax.

Democrat Katie Porter, who is running in Orange County against Rep. Mimi Walters, launched a cable television advertisement declaring she opposed higher gas taxes. Porter launched the ad after coming under attack by a super PAC, which was airing an ad claiming she refused to oppose the gas tax even though California has the highest gas prices in the country.

Josh Harder, who is challenging Rep. Jeff Denham in a Central Valley district that includes Modesto, Turlock and Tracy, wrote an op-ed in the Turlock Journal opposing the gas tax, arguing funding for infrastructure improvements should come from the federal government. Harder went a step further in telling McClatchy he supports Prop. 6.

Jessica Morse has not said she supports the repeal effort, but still criticized the gas tax, saying it is “double taxation” and also arguing Congress must provide more infrastructure funding. Morse is running against Rep. Tom McClintock in an Eastern California district that includes part of the Sierra Nevadas.

Meanwhile, the proponents of the repeal argue Democratic support for their initiative is disingenuous.

Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego city councilman who is leading the “Yes on 6” campaign, said the Democratic candidates opposing the gas tax are lying to their constituents and not helping the repeal effort. DeMaio said his group reached out to campaigns across the state asking for support, but Democrats running for Congress, including Porter and Harder, refused to offer assistance.

California’s gas tax increase, which took effect last year, raised the base tax on gasoline 12 cents from 18 cents per gallon to 30 cents per gallon. Taxes on diesel increased even more.

The excise tax on diesel increased 20 cents from 16 cents per gallon to 36 cents per gallon, and the diesel sales tax rose from 1.75 percent to 5.75 percent. Additionally, there is a new vehicle registration fee ranging from $25 to $175 annually.

If Prop. 6 were to pass, it would reduce state transportation tax revenue by $2.9 billion in the upcoming fiscal year and by $4.9 billion annually thereafter.

Gas tax revenue is primarily intended to support state highway maintenance and rehabilitation, as well as local streets and roads, mass transit and bicycle infrastructure. Critics say the tax hike is compensating for frivolous spending by Brown and Caltrans.

Recent polling showed the repeal campaign had a double digit lead. However, many voters were still undecided, and the supporters of the gas tax have built a substantial fundraising advantage.


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You forgot this after the headline… *Until they’re elected…..


10

Everybody knows the gas tax is for pensions. There will never be enough money to keep up with them….


8

The gas tax is expected to cost every working family around $750 a year, forever! I was also informed by the pro-tax supporters that as a California driver I spend $1400 a year fixing my car due to bad roads. I have lived here for 40 years and driven mostly used and abused vehicles during that time, I’ve never spent that kind of money replacing tires and damaged windows in any year, much less annually. The gas tax will cost everyone more in the way of higher grocery prices and higher prices on everything shipped by truck. It will hurt those in rural areas like us the most who have to drive, and poor families who usually have gas-guzzlers, not electric vehicles. But I was told with great confidence that we need the gas tax so BART riders will have wi-fi on their trains. Can’t wait.


15

Sounds like swamp gas coming out of the swamp. Just another politician saying whatever it takes to get a vote. There is a name for people who sell themselves and that is exactly what they are.


11

Ok, I don’t like the tax, but I can see its potential benefit. My only problem is when money is taxed for a specific purpose and used for something that benefits a small number of people.


The taxes should NOT pay for a bullet train to nowhere. The taxes should NOT pay for pretty bike paths for fun. The taxes should pay for things like fixing roads that look like 3rd world countries (I’m looking right at 4th street south of Farroll in Grover Beach/Oceano as an example. 1/2 the road is literally gone. I am also thinking of placed where the “end of county maintained road” signs pop up then you need a Jeep to drive them. I’m thinking of the 101 that is our ONLY road, and it needs more lanes. It needs a “Grandpa lane” and a “I need to get to work on time” lane added. 


Road funding can be AWESOME if done right. I LOVE the 46 now where there are two lanes. Cuts 20 minutes off commute times to the Valley. 


SLO County in particular needs road repair. Many people cannot take a train to work. Our economy doesn’t work like that. We have delivery drivers, UBER/Lyft drivers, people who have more than one job site and need a car to get there. 


3

The three will lose that line of thinking as soon as they win, remember democrats lie, they can never win while being honest.


15

Those candidates should put their money where their mouth is and provide proof of a check supporting Prop. 6. Talk is cheap


13

Say anything to get elected yet their party is the party of more and more taxes, over and over again. Why do people allow themselves to be fooled by the party of tax and spend?


17

“the party of tax and spend?” Lol, That old tired sad talking point?.


How bout the party of tariffs, raising the price of materials for all Americans.


How about more federal taxpayer money for the coal barons?

How about the money big oil want to protect them from rising sea levels/climate change?

How about orange headed one admitting to a campaign finance felony?


Say anything to get elected is IS the GOP today.


But please focus on tiny taxes if that makes you feel better.


-18

Hum well…the orange crowd hasent cost me a dime yet. Matter of fact is saved us quite a bit. The other party has cost us thousands in real dollars. Taxes, fees, taxes and more taxes. Open your eyes, What you read on Yahoo is bullshit. To seriously say the republican admin has cost you more than the dems?? No way in hell, show us in real hard numbers ,not fake news hearsay. 


17

You are confused, the tariffs are in the prices everyone pays, steel aluminum glass. Every car, piece of pipe, it effects/will effect all shoppers, unless you don’t buy anything.


Oh look what the taxpayers are going to pay today U.S. government to pay $4.7 billion in tariff-related aid to farmers and that’s just corporate soybeans


And no the money does not come from the tariffs, it’s tax dollars.


I don’t use yahoo, it’s not 1997 anymore. My eyes are open, enough with the insults.


-12

We live in a Red state, gas is $2.68 a gallon and my property tax on 5 acres with a 3/2 is $1400 a year, power runs maybe $38 a month The sun shines, there are animals galore, lakes, sking,water sports, trees galore,mountains, incredible secenry everywhere, no gangs, no Bako idiots, food is less costly, homes are 50% lower priced, Nuff said, No insults intended Kettle, just a reality check on your facts. You and the working class of california who foot the bill are a victims of political robbery. 


13

I live in a “blue” state that offers all that your “red” one does. It has some of the lowest tax rates in the country (no sales tax to boot), it’s roads are some of the best, the utilities (power only, as we have a well) are less than $50 a month (that includes my 900sqf apartment and my landlord’s home), it’s environment one of the best,(prong horn, deer, elk and tons of wildlife every where), yes the gas prices are some of the highest (over $3 bucks a gallon) but your $2.68 a gallon is the national average, so it’s not something that special. My landlord’s property, the property we both live on, is 100+ acres, 4/3 3,950sqf custom built three story (and I mean custom! All rosewood, oak, glass, marble, within a reinforced concrete structure, clad in metal siding and topped with a metal roof) with all the current technology, mixed with some old, that insures a power efficient home. Two out buildings (garages, one three bay [which my apartment is connected to], and the other a barn for their motorhome, tow vehicle, tractor, trailer and his work shop), all just assessed at $1.1million (try buyin’ somethin’ comparable in Cali’ for that price). I don’t know their tax bill but the states average is 1.3%. All I’m sayin’ is it don’t matter if your state is “red”, “blue” or “chartreuse”, it’s all about location, location, location…

And that political robbery your speaking of? That’s a bipartisan “quality”… Oh yea! My landlords are Trump supporters, die hard Trump supporters, both worked for the Oregon Department of Corrections and we all get along! Go figure, huh?


-6

Excepting those who will be directly funded, anyone with a memory will not support new taxes. Sadly, 100% of those who are directly funded will vote and apathy has a bad voting record.


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