8753640903_92a0a0d147_z

It’s only one month after California state lawmakers passed the largest gas tax hike in state history, and Golden State taxpayers are already working to repeal it. A recall campaign against the gas tax is already underway. Led by state Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach, paperwork was recently filed to begin collecting signatures to place a recall measure on the 2018 ballot.  

Signed into law on April 6 by Governor Jerry Brown, California’s SB 1 represents a ten-year, $52.4 billion tax hike that raises the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon, along with a rate increase on diesel gasoline by 20 cents per gallon. The bill also instituted vehicle licensing fee hikes ranging from $25 to $175, depending on the car. Proponents of the bill marketed it as a source of revenue for repairing roads in the state but failed to mention the bill provides more funding for public transit and bike lanes.

“Jerry Brown’s decision to push through the largest gas tax increase in California’s history without the approval of voters demonstrated a complete disregard for ordinary Californians,” Allen said. “This ballot initiative will correct Brown’s failure and allow the people of California to decide for themselves if they want to raise their taxes.” The measure needs 365,880 signatures to go on the 2018 ballot.

While the effort to repeal California’s gas tax has months to go, one thing is clear: government overreach through excessive taxation will not go down without a fight.

Photo Credit: Jeena Paradies