Rep. Kevin Kiley targets California’s gas tax with federal legislation
Updated: 2:36 PM PST Feb 11, 2026
Northern California Congressman Kevin Kiley announced on Tuesday that he’s working on a bill that seeks to lower “excessive” state gas taxes, California’s in particular. Rep. Kiley, R-Roseville, said the bill would withhold certain federal highway funding for states with a gas tax that exceeds 50 cents per gallon. That would trigger an 8% reduction in funding from the National Highway Performance Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, according to a press release. California’s gas tax is the highest in the nation at 61.2 cents per gallon. According to the California Tax Foundation, other states with taxes that exceed 50 cents include: Washington, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania. California’s state gas tax is the primary source of state funding for highways and roads. It’s adjusted annually in July for inflation. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, the tax is expected to raise $7.6 billion from gas purchases for vehicles. The governor’s office pointed to an analysis that found in 2022 that while California received the second-highest amount of federal highway funds among states, it was the third-lowest on a per capita basis. “Congressman Kiley is wrong again on the facts and clueless about the real-world consequences. California’s gas tax — upheld by voters in 2018 — funds safer roads, bridge repairs, and proven efforts to reduce air pollution and protect public health. Cutting transportation funding wouldn’t help Californians; it would mean more potholes, longer commutes, and dirtier air. No thank you, Congressman,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Northern California Congressman Kevin Kiley announced on Tuesday that he’s working on a bill that seeks to lower “excessive” state gas taxes, California’s in particular.
Rep. Kiley, R-Roseville, said the bill would withhold certain federal highway funding for states with a gas tax that exceeds 50 cents per gallon. That would trigger an 8% reduction in funding from the National Highway Performance Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, according to a press release.
California’s gas tax is the highest in the nation at 61.2 cents per gallon.
According to the California Tax Foundation, other states with taxes that exceed 50 cents include: Washington, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
California’s state gas tax is the primary source of state funding for highways and roads. It’s adjusted annually in July for inflation.
According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, the tax is expected to raise $7.6 billion from gas purchases for vehicles.
The governor’s office pointed to an analysis that found in 2022 that while California received the second-highest amount of federal highway funds among states, it was the third-lowest on a per capita basis.
“Congressman Kiley is wrong again on the facts and clueless about the real-world consequences. California’s gas tax — upheld by voters in 2018 — funds safer roads, bridge repairs, and proven efforts to reduce air pollution and protect public health. Cutting transportation funding wouldn’t help Californians; it would mean more potholes, longer commutes, and dirtier air. No thank you, Congressman,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel