The California Gas Tax will take effect November 1, raising the price of gas by 12 cents per gallon, with the $52 billion it’s expected to generate going to transportation projects, officials said Tuesday.

The proposal approved by legislators in April is set to close an anticipated budget gap by raising the gas tax and DMV registration fees.

Historically, road maintenance has been paid for by taxes on gasoline usage; however, the rise of alternative fuel vehicles created a funding shortage, according to lawmakers.

The tax increase will go into effect at midnight Wednesday across California as a result of Senate Bill 1, which also imposes a 20 cent per gallon tax on diesel fuel.

Additional funding is expected to be generated from a $25-$175 annual vehicle registration tax increase.

The gas tax alone is expected to raise $5.2 billion per year over the next 10 years to fund construction and road projects, according to state officials.

Santa Clarita’s representatives in Sacramento had a difference of opinion on the gas tax, with Senator Henry Stern voting to support the move, and Senator Scott Wilk using the measure as one of the main points in a recent editorial.

From a previous post: Editorial, Senator Scott Wilk: Halloween — Scary Sights In Sacramento As Session Comes To An End

“Only 60 percent of these funds are guaranteed for roads,” said Wilk, R-Santa Clarita. “Consumers are already paying billions into the general fund — Republicans had a plan to redirect those funds without raising any taxes.”

The argument in favor noted the neglect and disrepair on California’s roads that have been caused by years of declining gas tax revenues.

“For too long we have neglected our state and local transportation needs. Our roads are falling apart and our bridges are in desperate need of repair,” said Assemblymember Jim Frazier, the bill’s co-author. “Transportation is integral to our quality of life and SB 1 is the comprehensive funding package that will help repair our state highways and local streets and roads.”

The bill puts more than $25 billion into state coffers over the next 10 years, for everything from: $15 billion for local street and road maintenance; $7.5 billion for transit project and capital; and research on roads at the UC and CSU system.

The money would be prioritized to go to “fix-it first” projects split between state and local taxes.

As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!