![]() ![]() Gray, a moderate Democrat who is pitching himself as a “pragmatic centrist” in his congressional run, introduced a bill this year that would have suspended the gas tax. “We need better information on what is driving gas prices,” the statement said. “By contrast, we see oil company prices fluctuating frequently, with justifications kept obscure and without benefit to the consumers.” Moreover, they are pretty consistent,” he said. Those include cleaner air and environment, and improved transportation infrastructure. “We don’t hide our regulations and taxes, but they produce concrete benefits for Californians. Rendon, in a statement, said he still sees benefits in investigating the industry’s role in setting gas prices. “If you can figure out what the problem is and pass changes in the market regulations that get rid of the problem, that would help everybody,” Borenstein said. State efforts to investigate the surcharge in the past have been rebuffed by the gasoline industry, which has been reluctant to release sensitive price data. That surcharge has been a constant since 2014, he said, but tends to get extra scrutiny when oil prices go up. Californians pay what he describes as a “mystery surcharge” that is the difference between what the industry charges in California, absent state taxes and fees, compared to other states. It’s a concern that has come up before, notes Severin Borenstein, director of UC Berkeley’s Energy Institute at Haas. It has met twice since its inception but has yet to offer any conclusions. The committee is tasked with gathering data and creating a report on recommended actions. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) in the spring convened a bipartisan group of lawmakers to investigate whether price gouging was to blame for California’s woes. So when prices jumped earlier this spring after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many called on the state’s leaders to forgo some regulations and taxes to ease the burden on consumers.ĭemocratic leaders have focused instead on the industry side. The state sets its own car emission standards and requires a specific blend of gasoline that means it can take longer for gas to make its way West in the event California experiences a shortage. Those payments are set to start appearing in Californians’ bank accounts in October, just in time for the general election.Įven in a good year, California’s unique gasoline policies make prices more expensive than other parts of the country. Nancy Skinner, chair of the budget committee, touted the refunds, which will be between $200 and $1,050 depending on filing status and income, in an email to constituents. With the focus once again on California’s high prices, Democratic lawmakers in the most populous state were reminding the public Tuesday that rebate checks are on their way. If prices persist, it could mean trouble for Democrats in battleground districts such as the Central Valley, where two Democratic hopefuls, Assemblymembers Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), are in tight congressional races with Republicans. Talks of suspending the state’s scheduled gas tax increase, or pausing the tax altogether, fizzled early in the year - much to the frustration of Republicans and some moderate Democrats. Gavin Newsom’s administration and legislative leaders over how best to combat inflation-driven increases at the pump. The refunds were the result of months of tense back-and-forth between Gov. Rather than suspend the state’s gas tax, which is now up to 53.9 cents per gallon, Democrats this year opted to send $9.5 billion in direct payments to families. Now our residents are paying the price.”Ĭalifornia’s gas prices are nowhere near the $6 peak seen in June, but are still a source of anger. “Instead, the Supermajority opted to create a do-nothing Select Committee as an attempt at political cover. “The Legislature had an opportunity to provide real relief to Californians by suspending the gas tax,” Assemblymember Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), who is running for Congress against a Democrat in a Northern California district, said Tuesday. ![]()
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