CA’s gas tax bill

Recently Cheryl Viegas-Walker and Mark Baza wrote an article criticizing the attempted repeal of SB 1 (CA Gas Tax bill) which raises taxes on gas by 12 cents per gallon. While the authors explained California roads (many in Imperial County) desperately need repair, they jumped to the conclusion that there is no other way to fund these repairs than to raise gas taxes, diesel taxes (by 20 cents/gallon) and vehicle registration fees.

Some might not see the big deal in raising the diesel tax, after all most people drive gasoline cars. But how about all the farm and trucking equipment? It all runs on diesel and all those extra taxes will be passed down to the consumer. So, not only will we be paying more at the pump, but we will also be paying more at the grocery and product stores. I don’t know anyone in Imperial County who would argue our roads don’t need repair.

I do know plenty (including myself) however, who take offense to the fact that the state (and the authors) believe the only way to repair the roads is to raise our taxes.

California already spends an astronomical amount on the roads. In 2009, the state spent over 4 times the national average per mile on roads. Yet, we continue to have some of the worst roads in the country. In fact, the two projects which the authors referred to would cost about $723,684 per mile (Highway 86 project) and a staggering $1,742,42.24 per mile (Highway 111/98 project). Yes, that is over 1.7 million dollars per mile! Those numbers are assuming neither project will be over budget (which they probably will).

The authors asked what’s the alternative? The alternative is for California to get its budgeting and spending problem under control.

The state has previously diverted funds that were specifically earmarked for transportation and shuffled the money into other projects and the general fund (AKA pit of doom).

How about the state of California shows taxpayers it can properly handle and spend our money before they start demanding we give them more?