Republican Leaders Urge Rejection of Special Session for New Taxes

Say California Policy Decisions are to Blame for High Gas Prices

SACRAMENTO- Today, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City) and Assembly Budget Vice Chair Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) called on the Governor and Democrat leaders to take immediate action to lower gas prices in California. In a letter sent Friday, the Republican leaders urged the following immediate actions:
 

1)  Suspend the state’s gas tax, which is adding 54 cents a gallon to the cost of fuel. 

2)  Retract the proposed Special Legislative Session to increase taxes. 

3)  Conduct a full and immediate audit of gas tax expenditures.

“The tax increase Democrats are proposing is insulting,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher. “They need to face reality…it’s their policy decisions that are driving up the cost of fuel in California. With record high inflation and $7 a gallon gas prices, the last thing struggling families need right now is another tax. Policymakers should be solely focused on ways to lower gas prices. More taxes are not the answer.”

“Californians are hit hard by soaring gas prices,” said Assemblymember Vince Fong. “The only reason to call a special legislative session would be to suspend the gas tax, reduce the fees and regulations that make California gas so expensive, and allow permits to increase production to lower gas prices.”  

Read a copy of the letter sent to Governor Newsom, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins here.