{"id":381920,"date":"2026-07-01T09:10:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T09:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/381920\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T09:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T09:10:17","slug":"california-gas-price-misery-continues-as-higher-tax-kicks-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/381920\/","title":{"rendered":"California gas-price misery continues as higher tax kicks in"},"content":{"rendered":"

Congratulations, California motorists<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You get to pay more to drive on the same crumbling, crowded roads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The state\u2019s excise tax on gasoline, at 61.2 cents per gallon, surges to 63.4 cents per gallon on July 1.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s aside from a range of other taxes and fees that Sacramento pumps into fuel \u2013\u2013 including sales taxes and climate fees<\/a> \u2013\u2013 that drive the total taxes on gasoline in California to an estimated $1.20 per gallon.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The state\u2019s excise tax on gasoline, at 61.2 cents per gallon, surges to 63.4 cents per gallon on July 1. AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh<\/p>\n

\"And<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s aside from a range of other taxes and fees that Sacramento pumps into fuel \u2013\u2013 including sales taxes and climate fees \u2013\u2013 that drive the total taxes on gasoline in California to an estimated $1.20 per gallon. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, on the horizon: perpetual annual gas-tax hikes.<\/p>\n

Former Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature in 2017 adopted SB 1, a measure that raises the state\u2019s gas tax every July 1 based on inflation.<\/p>\n

The legislation also hiked the state\u2019s base gasoline excise tax by 12 cents a gallon, increased the diesel tax and inflated vehicle registration fees, with with proceeds earmarked for transportation projects.<\/p>\n

The governor and legislators said the tax receipts would refurbish state roads in dire need of repair.<\/p>\n

In a true exhibition of the gap between rhetoric and reality, Brown said at the time:<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight we\u2019re building things. That\u2019s common sense, that\u2019s the spirit of Harry Truman and that\u2019s the spirit of the Democratic Party. Proud to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Meanwhile,<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, on the horizon: perpetual annual gas-tax hikes. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Have you noticed Truman-esque improvements over the past decade or so?<\/p>\n

Neither have those who track road conditions.<\/p>\n

In the Reason Foundation\u2019s 29th Annual Highway Report, released in March, California ranked 49th out of 50, besting only Alaska for state highway performance.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, the gas tax just keeps climbing.<\/p>\n

The automatic tax escalator offers a tidy way for legislators to avoid having to actually vote each year on a gas-tax-hike proposal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easier to shrug and say it\u2019s automatic than to examine why the state has the highest gas taxes and fees in the US while its highways routinely rank among the nation\u2019s worst for pavement condition and congestion.<\/p>\n

Moreover: Legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom could suspend the automatic gas-tax hikes at any time, through new legislation.<\/p>\n

If history is any guide, they never will.<\/p>\n

Gas-tax pain has become a California summer mainstay, alongside high inland heat and June gloom hear the coast.<\/p>\n

Think affordability is bad now?<\/p>\n

Keep electing Democrats, and just wait.<\/p>\n