Measure to repeal gas tax on November ballot

SACRAMENTO — California voters will decide whether to repeal newly enacted gas taxes and vehicle registration fees that fund road repairs under an initiative that will appear on the November ballot.

Proponents of the repeal turned in more than the 585,407 valid signatures needed to qualify for the Nov. 6 ballot. The measure would remove transportation taxes and fees approved by the Legislature last year under SB1, which is expected to raise $5 billion per year to pay for the state’s roads and bridges.

The ballot measure would remove the 12 cent per gallon increase in the state’s gas excise tax and the 20 cent per gallon increase in the excise tax on diesel fuel, which is used by the trucking industry. Vehicle registration fee increases that began in January would also be repealed; they raised registration costs by $25 to $175 depending on the value of the vehicle.

The measure would also require voters to approve any future gas taxes or road fees.

“This measure sends a message

to millions of forgotten Californians that are forced to decide each day between buying groceries or filling up their gas tank — help is on the way,” said Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox on Twitter.

The taxes and fees were used by Republicans to oust state Sen. Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, this month, costing the Senate Democrats their supermajority. Gov. Jerry Brown has pledged to fight for the taxes and fees, saying they are critical to meeting the state’s transportation needs.

“This flawed and dangerous measure pushed by Trump’s Washington allies jeopardizes the safety of millions of Californians by stopping local communities from fixing their crumbling roads and bridges,” Brown tweeted Monday. “Just say no.”