Gas Tax and Fees Repeal Made it to November Ballot (how much, home)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I know this is backed by the GOP who want to get Republicans to the polls in November. But, honestly, as a Democrat, I just may vote for it.

California ballot will include gas tax repeal in November

Nobody likes being taxed without a say. And this one really did go too far, adding a huge gas tax and the vehicle tax, too, all at once. They got too greedy. Should have picked one or the other, or let us vote on it.

When given the option to vote, we often do vote for new taxes, if they're reasonable. We just passed the bridge tolls increases, for instance.

I think the Democrat money spent fighting this would be better spent writing another tax measure to put up against the repeal, and getting it on the ballot. One that is less greedy that we can vote for, and feel like we have a say.

Because, I really think this repeal will pass with bi-partisan support.

And, I think the GOP was brilliant in getting this on the November ballot, and it may get some more Republicans voted into office, although, I don't think that will mean Cox will be the next Governor.

Opinions? I'm especially interested in hearing from Democrats. Will you vote to repeal the tax and fees? Would you vote for a different version if the Dems wrote one?

[DKM]

They are fixing roads with it. So I don't see many people saying lets cancel the road work and save 12 cents a gallon when it already costs 3.50

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by DKM

They are fixing roads with it. So I don't see many people saying lets cancel the road work and save 12 cents a gallon when it already costs 3.50

Roads that should have been fixed with all the money taxed on gas, etc before the increase.

[davidt1]

This tax hurts so many struggling families trying to put food on the table. Seniors on fixed income, students paying expensive tuition, and low wage earners will see their already meager income reduced even more by this inhumane tax.

This tax won't hurt everyone. It won't hurt the politicians who voted for it. It won't hurt public employee unions who pushed for this tax because they know a good chunk of the money collected will go to them. And it won't hurt construction companies who will be awarded with contracts.

And as predicted, they are spending money and working hard to scare people. They brazenly say, "If we don't get the money, these projects will have to be cancelled and terrible things will happen to you." If these scare tactics sound familiar, it is because we have heard them many times before. Instilling fears and holding taxpayers hostage have often worked for them.

They took away our right to decide on this tax when they voted for it. It's time to say to the political establishment, "Enough is enough." It's time to take back our right as voters.

[evening sun]

Darn right I will be voting to repeal it.

[DKM]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Roads that should have been fixed with all the money taxed on gas, etc before the increase.

It was the first increase in 23 years. It never kept up with inflation... or with mileage improvements. You expect them to repair roads with a decreasing budget per mile of roadway all these years?

[Hulsker 1856]

Originally Posted by DKM

It was the first increase in 23 years. It never kept up with inflation... or with mileage improvements. You expect them to repair roads with a decreasing budget per mile of roadway all these years?

Those improvements will still be made. But the costs will come out of the general fund instead of targeting those who use the roads (with fees) at the rates that they use them (a per-gallon tax). But the "Repeal!" crowd will refuse to believe that repealing a targeted tax doesn't also make the expense go away.

In part, what they're doing is shifting the burden away from users and to the general public. Thus, a person who does not own a vehicle will disproportionately pay for road repairs after repeal.

"But... but... it's for the common good, and everyone benefits at least indirectly!" will wail the repealers. That is true. It is also true that those same people hysterically screech "Socialism!" whenever it is suggested that all, even those do who do not directly benefit, must pay for government programs that benefit everyone in some way (and, really, every program does that.

They are as shortsighted as they are hypocritical.

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by DKM

It was the first increase in 23 years. It never kept up with inflation... or with mileage improvements. You expect them to repair roads with a decreasing budget per mile of roadway all these years?

I would ask how much more gas has been used during these 23 years? I don't know the answer, but it has to be considered...

I think some sort of tax increase would have passed had the politicians done it the right way. But ramming it through without a public vote offended too many.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Vic Romano

I would ask how much more gas has been used during these 23 years? I don't know the answer, but it has to be considered...

Millions more cars on the road in that period. There are 8 million more people in the State since 1995. More gas sold for sure and more taxes collected from that. In effect about a 25% increase in population so a similar increase in tax collected not to mention more visitors to the State each year. It would be interesting to know how much tax was collected and how much of that was actually spent on the roads VS other things that did not help the roads in anyway.

[PhoenixSomeday]

Regarding the comment below, it mentions something I've generally wondered about. I've seen a few rare mentions here and there over the years about some new law / tax at whatever county / state / federal level that had language in it that specifically banned the usage of the fund created from that new tax from being used for any other purpose except exactly and explicitly what that fund was created for.

Is it standard legal structure that a fund can be raided for other purposes unless the law that created says otherwise? Because I can say, if the taxes from the crazy gas prices back home were supposed to be for road upkeep, I sure as hell haven't seen that pan out in practice. The roads all around where I grew up, for many miles in any direction, are still just as crappy as they were 20 years ago.

That said, taxes should indeed be voted on. And they should only be spent exclusively on their intended purpose.

Originally Posted by expatCA

Roads that should have been fixed with all the money taxed on gas, etc before the increase.