California gubernatorial candidates and other politicians are calling for a temporary suspension of the state’s 88-cent gas tax as fuel prices continue to climb across Southern California. In Los Angeles County, regular fuel is averaging $5.56 per gallon, with some areas seeing increases of more than 50 cents since February, the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
The proposal to lift the tax, which is the highest in the nation, comes as some analysts project prices could eventually reach $7 per gallon. California gas prices currently sit about $1.50 higher than the national average. This gap is attributed to environmental fees and the state’s requirement for a specialized, cleaner-burning fuel blend.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a candidate for governor, is among those calling for immediate legislative action to address the costs.
“I’m calling on Sacramento to temporarily suspend California’s gas tax, which is the highest in the nation,” Mahan said. Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, a Republican who is also running for governor, stated his support on social media.
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The proposal has an avenue in the state legislature. California State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach), filed a bill in February to eliminate the gas tax immediately, arguing high prices disproportionately affect working families.
“We don’t have a lot of tools in our shed,” he told KNX News Radio on Tuesday. “(My bill) would save $1.08 per gallon the minute the governor signs it.”
So far, Gov. Gavin Newsom has voiced opposition to the proposal. Newsom stated that removing the tax would likely make oil companies more profitable rather than helping consumers. He also attributed the “sticker shock” at the pump to the Trump administration.
The rising costs have caused frustration for local drivers as prices in some parts of Southern California reach their highest levels since 2023. Lisa Haisha, a Californian consumer, described the current prices as “insane” while fueling her vehicle.
ALL the problems in California are directly connected to DEMOCRATS running the state. Lower or freeze the gas taxes and it will make it cheaper for more people to drive out of the state to Florida, Texas, Idaho, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia ………