Californians are paying a little more at the pump after a new gas tax increase took effect today, adding to already high fuel prices in what is the most expensive gas market in the nation.
The state gas tax rose just over 2 cents per gallon, increasing to 63.4 cents per gallon from 61.2 cents per gallon. The increase is tied to Senate Bill 1, which triggers an automatic adjustment every July 1 to help fund infrastructure and road repairs.
Michael Turnipseed of the Kern County Taxpayers Association said the higher tax is needed as traffic and costs rise.
“And you know what? When you get on the highway, even in Bakersfield, look at all the cars on the roads these days,” Turnipseed said.
He also pointed to rising costs for materials and labor used in road work.
“Everything costs more money. Wages go up. Benefits costs go up. Concrete. Asphalt. Steel. All the things they need to maintain roads, they’re all going up,” Turnipseed said.
Turnipseed said he is bothered that the gas tax does not affect electric vehicle drivers, even though the gas tax has been in place since 2017.
At a Bakersfield gas station, most customers were not aware the increase had taken effect, but they were unhappy about paying more. Belinda Rickett said she was surprised by the change.
“No. I did not know about it. And I’m kind of surprised. I think we’ve been beat up with the gas prices enough, especially since we’re an oil community. We shouldn’t have to pay that extra tax,” Rickett said.
Turnipseed said he does not expect most drivers to notice the increase.
“In the sense of things, when gas is 5 and a half dollars a gallon, what’s another 2 cents? You’re not going to even notice. But it California that’s why our gas is so expensive because our gas prices are the highest in the country and they continue just to get higher,” he said.
Diesel taxes are also scheduled to climb, increasing by 1.6 cents to a new rate of 48.2 cents per gallon.