WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao and members of the California Republican delegation again called on the state to take immediate action to suspend the gas tax, which is now set to increase by 3 cents per gallon on July 1, 2022.

In March, Congressman Valadao led his California Republican colleagues in a letter to Governor Newsom requesting the state temporarily suspend the gas tax to provide relief for California families, who are paying the highest gas prices in the country.

“At a time when Central Valley families are struggling with record-breaking gas prices and skyrocketing inflation, the last thing we should be doing is increasing taxes,” said Rep. David Valadao (CA-21). “Unfortunately, that is exactly what Governor Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in Sacramento are doing. I will continue working to provide real relief for Valley families who are struggling to pay for everyday necessities because of these failed policies.”

“As Californians continue to deal with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with crushing inflation propagated by the Biden administration, they need support from their elected officials,” said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23). “Instead, Sacramento bureaucrats have turned a blind eye, not only refusing to suspend the gas tax, but moving forward to increase it come July 1st. Our Central Valley families deserve better, and I will continue fighting to ensure they have the support they need through pro-growth economic policies and all-of-the-above energy solutions in Congress. I applaud Congressman David Valadao — who has been a leader in holding the Newsom administration accountable — for his staunch leadership to ensure that the Central Valley’s concerns are always elevated nationally.” 

“California has the highest gas prices in the country by far, and they are about to go up even more! Why? In a high tax state that is bragging about having $68 billion more than it needs in “surplus”, Governor Newsom is ignoring the simplest option that would provide immediate relief for everyone, to suspend the gas tax at the point of sale,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01). “Going forward, 51 cents a gallon in relief could be accomplished with a phone call. They would rather keep the tax in place and create a bureaucracy where everyone gets a $400 gift card whether your car uses gas or not. Instead of doing what can be done to lower fuel prices for struggling families, Governor Newsom is allowing a planned gas tax increase to go through. Prices will increase July 1, as new taxes are added to the price of every gallon. One thing this illustrates for sure, is that Sacramento Democrats are not on the side of California working people.”

“While the Biden Administration has given Americans the highest gas prices in history, for California motorists, the pain at the pump is even worse,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-50). The state currently levies a highest-in-the-nation 51 cents per gallon — and even with a massive budget surplus, refuses to temporarily give drivers a break. It’s time for the Governor and Legislature to change course.”

“The Biden-Pelosi inflationary agenda is driving up the cost of food and the price of gas at the pump. We need to be taking common sense steps to provide families with some relief,” said Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-42). “That’s why a number of states across America are either lowering gas taxes or imposing a gas tax holiday. It’s insane that Governor Newsom and Sacramento Democrats won’t lift a finger to stop gas taxes from piling on to rising costs California families are facing, especially while sitting on top of a $68 billion surplus of taxpayer provided revenue.”

“California failed to suspend the gas tax before May 1st and now Governor Newsom plans to punish Californians further by raising the gas tax on July 1^st,” said Rep. Mike Garcia (CA-25). “Californians already pay the price of living in one of the most expensive states in the U.S. It is past time that we start lowering taxes on hardworking Californians. As representatives of the people, we must provide relief to families during this time of record-breaking inflation. I am proud to stand with my California colleagues in calling on the Governor to suspend the gas tax and provide needed relief to Californians.”

“Democrats in California have had opportunity to reduce costs for hard-working families who are tired of paying hundreds of dollars every week just to drive to school or work,” said Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-48). “Instead, they’ve chosen to hike taxes in the highest tax state in the country. Enough is enough. It’s time to repeal this gas tax and bring real relief to millions of Californians who are sick of paying more and getting less.”

“U.S. gas prices are the most expensive they have been in our history, and California’s prices are even higher because of extra taxes and burdensome regulations,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-08). “I hear every day from people in the High Desert, Inland Empire and Eastern Sierra who are struggling to make ends meet because of these skyrocketing prices. Governor Newsom and our state legislature must pause their plans to increase the gas tax and instead suspend it to provide immediate relief to the working people of California.”

“As Californians struggle to make ends meet due to rising prices everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump, Sacramento took action to raise the gas tax even higher. Workers, families and businesses have felt enough pain at the pump,” said Rep. Young Kim (CA-39). “Californians need relief, which is why I joined Rep. David Valadao and my California Republican colleagues in March to write to Governor Newsom to suspend the gas tax as prices reach record highs. I continue to urge the governor to reverse course and suspend the gas tax that is making life harder for California communities.”

“Increasing the gas tax at a time when hardworking Californians are faced with the highest gas prices in the country and skyrocketing inflation is absolute lunacy,” said Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04). “I call upon Governor Newsom and the Legislature to immediately suspend the gas tax to provide relief at the pump to Californians who are struggling to make ends meet because of their failed policies. It’s the common sense solution.”

Read the full letter here. 

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