Initiative seeks to end high speed rail
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Supporters of a November ballot measure to repeal a California gas tax increase proposed Tuesday an initiative for 2020, saying it would provide money for road repairs and eliminate the state's beleaguered $77 billion high-speed rail project.
The proposal comes from conservative radio host Carl Demaio and others behind Proposition 6, which will ask voters this November if they want to repeal a 12-cent gas tax hike and increases in vehicle registration fees approved by lawmakers last year.
The 2020 plan is the next step in their effort. It would change the state Constitution to require revenue from existing gas taxes be spent only for road and bridge work, not transit, bicycle infrastructure or planning.
All other transportationrelated revenue — such as taxes and fees on auto sales, insurance and vehicle registrations — would have to be spent on transit projects.
"The problem is not that Californians are not paying enough in taxes," Demaio told reporters outside the state Capitol. "The problem is that the politicians are not spending the money we give them to fix our roads, to maintain our infrastructure."
A key criticism of November's Proposition 6 is that repealing the gas tax increase would eliminate funding for thousands of transportation projects without any money to replace it.
The new initiative would redirect money that goes into state and local general funds so that it must be spent on transportation.
"It's not a new idea," said Michael Quigley, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs, which opposes Demaio's initiatives. "It's an old Republican idea that the Legislature has previously rejected because of its impacts on health care, higher education and public safety funding."
California' s democratic led Legislature passed the increase on fuel taxes and vehicle fees last year. It is expected to raise about $5 billion a year for highway and road improvements and transit programs.
The gas tax is currently 41.7 cents per gallon, among the highest in the nation. This week, Californians are paying an average of $3.66 a gallon for gas, 80 cents more than the national average, according to AAA.
Republicans and Democrats agree the state needs a transportation overhaul but disagree on how to pay for it.
A Democratic state lawmaker from Orange County was recalled last year over his support for the fuel tax increase.