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Democrats Vote ‘No’ On Suspending California Gas Taxes, Senator Scott Wilk Responds

Senate Democrats voted to not suspend the gas tax for the second time on Monday – a move Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, claims is “breaking Californians.”

Three San Diego Assemblymembers, all Democrats, voted against suspending the gas tax on Monday, after previously killing Senate Bill 1156, which would have permanently eliminated the annual gas tax increase.

While two Republicans voted in support, Democrat Brian Maienschein was absent for the official vote. 

“The double whammy of steep inflation coupled with California’s already sky-high cost of living is breaking Californians,” Wilk said. “Republicans have been calling for a gas tax holiday since last July.”

With the gas tax set to climb from 51.1 cents to 53.9 cents per gallon on July 1, legislative Democrats have “stubbornly refused to provide a lifeline for California drivers,” according to Wilk. 

SB 1156, authored by Bakersfield Republican Senator Shannon Grove, failed on a party-line vote during its first policy hearing in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, according to officials.

Waiting for Governor Gavin Newsom to deliver his promised gas tax rebates, Californians continue to pay the highest prices in the nation at $5.78 for a gallon of unleaded gas, according to officials. 

“It’s ironic that Sacramento Democrats refused to give taxpayers even the smallest of breaks when it comes to gas prices, yet they passed tax cuts for marijuana growers on the very same day my legislation died,” Grove said on Monday. “This is another example of how the majority party’s agenda is disconnected from the reality that families live every day.” 

Senate Republicans’ Efforts On Suspending The Gas Tax

In June 2021, Senate Republicans called for a gas tax holiday and within the following weeks, Republican Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, R-Yucaipa, offered amendments formally requesting the suspension of the state gas tax and waiving an upcoming increase, according to officials. 

“Democrats failed to act then – just as they are failing to act now,” read a statement from Wilk. 

 In January 2022, Senate Republicans released their priorities for 2022 including an urgent call for a gas tax holiday, amid another anticipated budget surplus.

Senate Republicans doubled down on their calls for gas price relief in March 2022, according to officials.

Such calls included formally requesting a gas tax holiday in the state budget, introducing legislation to reduce gas tax burden and calling on legislative budget committee chairs to take action amidst skyrocketing gas prices. 

“Tone-deaf Democrats have hemmed, hawed, and promised relief but done absolutely nothing to help Californians,” Wilk said. “It’s deplorable.”


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Democrats Vote ‘No’ On Suspending California Gas Taxes, Senator Scott Wilk Responds

8 comments

  1. But the Dems are the Party of the People, right? I’m sure shaking down the taxpayers to pay for the care of the flood of “undocumented workers”, providing free abortions for all, and gender reassignment surgery for those innocents currently incarcerated is much more important. We can all rest easier knowing our legislators are doing the right thing.

  2. Can’t someone print an ad in the newspaper, listing the names of all the Senate officials that voted against this bill, when our state has a surplus of funds ?
    People need to know, which politicians are working aganst them, instead of … for them !

  3. DemonicTaxRats always need TAXES to exist. They are on the Dole and lose their jobs if they can’t TAX people who earn money the old fashion way by earning it.
    Defund the DemonicTaxRats.
    Less TAXES
    Less Government.
    Less Socialist welfare agenda.
    Keep your hands out of my wallet.

  4. Less government =pro choice

  5. Everything Liberals touch turns to crap! They keep throwing our hard earned money at other peoples chosen problems in life which never improves!

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About Rachel Matta

Born and raised in Santa Clarita, Rachel Matta has always had a love for writing and media. The first time she ever smiled was actually while she was laying next to her mom as she flipped through the pages of a magazine. Upon graduating from high school in 2019, she chose to major in both journalism and political science at College of the Canyons with the intention of concentrating in news reporting. She began her journey at KHTS as a news intern in the summer of 2020 and officially joined the newsroom in the spring of 2021, intending to move forward with compassion and inquisition.