In a surprising turn, California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra is open to a new mileage tax, aimed at funding the state’s deteriorating roads. He’s suggested that “everything should be on the table” regarding financial solutions, particularly when asked about the controversial tax in a recent interview with KCRA.
Becerra emphasized, “Our roads don’t just take care of themselves. We need to fund their upkeep. I wouldn’t want to overtax residents. We should still have a gas tax, and yes, even electric vehicle drivers should contribute to road maintenance.”
As Becerra, a former state attorney general and current Biden administration official, aims to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, this proposal surfaces amidst discussions about potentially replacing the traditional gas tax with a fee based on vehicle miles traveled. Critics are concerned that this added tax burden would further strain Californians already facing a high cost of living, especially those with long commutes.
Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio has raised alarms about the proposal, claiming it could be passed through the legislature without a public vote. He suggests the mileage charge could range from 6 to 9 cents per mile, stacking onto existing vehicle and gas taxes.
For instance, if a driver travels 15,000 miles a year, they might end up paying an extra $900 annually at the lower end of the proposed fee. DeMaio argued that this additional tax is akin to a substantial increase in gas prices, and further points out that, due to state policies, California already has the highest living costs in the nation. The current maintenance issues, he claims, arise despite taxpayers already covering expenses through various existing taxes.
DeMaio also cautioned that this tax could be especially hard on working-class families who have no choice but to live further from their jobs due to the rising cost of housing in California. The state has previously looked into mileage-based fees, even trialing a pilot program in 2018, though local efforts in areas like San Diego have been halted by public disapproval.
Becerra’s openness to such a tax appears alongside his proposals for increasing taxes on wealthier Californians and imposing new fees on corporations that do not provide adequate health benefits to their employees. As the election approaches on Tuesday, voters will soon weigh in on these contentious topics.
