Gas tax increase recommended

Contra Contra Times ^ | 21 February 2004 | Lisa Vorderbrueggen

[MegaSilver]

Amid the deepest transportation fiscal crisis in California history, Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Concord, has unveiled a plan to increase gas taxes and reform road funding.

The lawmaker introduced a bill Friday that would boost the fuel tax 10 cents a gallon at a cost to the average California driver of $45 a year.

The money would pay for state and local road repairs and upgrades, as well as programs to reduce air pollution generated by vehicles.

It would go into effect only after the average price of gas drops below $2 a gallon.

In a twist certain to generate controversy, Torlakson has obtained an opinion from legislative counsel that the increase would qualify as a user fee rather than a general tax.

That's significant because a user fee requires a far more obtainable majority approval instead of two thirds.

Torlakson coupled his tax increase with a plan to revamp Proposition 42, a measure voters overwhelmingly adopted in 2002 that dedicates fuel sales taxes to transportation.

He wants to put on the November ballot a constitutional amendment that would curtail Proposition 42's escape clause that has allowed lawmakers to divert the money to other uses.

The amendment would allow the state to borrow the money only in the event of a natural disaster and mandates repayment within three years.

A leading Republican senator and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association expressed instant dislike of the proposed increase, although they support Proposition 42 reform.

If California spent its highway money on highways instead of the general fund, it wouldn't need a tax increase, said Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks.

``The highway account has been a cash cow to maintain general fund spending far beyond our means and it has continued to the detriment of our highway system,'' McClintock said.

``If we stop raiding transportation funds, I believe a tax increase is unnecessary.''

[07055]

Once they raise the gas tax another 10 cents, they can complain about how Bush is causing gas to be so expensive so that he can pay back the "big boys" in the oil business who support him. And most people are so stupid they will believe this.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[Eala]

Torlakson has obtained an opinion from legislative counsel that the increase would qualify as a user fee rather than a general tax.

If he pulls that off you're going to see a lot of taxes disappear... and reappear as "fees."

Some of the "fees" we already pay in The Peoples' Soviet of Washington look suspiciously like taxes.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Damn Demonic Rats:

In a twist certain to generate controversy, Torlakson has obtained an opinion from legislative counsel that the increase would qualify as a user fee rather than a general tax.

[FreedomFlynnie]

California: We don't care what anyone says, we can tax ourselves into prosperity!

[PogySailor]

What are the current state taxes on gasoline in California? They must be pretty steep already.

[DeFault User]

Fees, Revenue Enhancement, Investing in Our Future....yeahh...

Will the last revenue enhanced fee paying investor to leave the state put out the lights.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Someone should slap a rider on that bill stating that all elected officials will use their own cars, and pay for their own gas! How do you like THAT user fee, you bum?

&%#$%@*$)@%!!!! Sorry about the foul language...

[blackdog]

Why raise gas taxes or any taxes at all? Why not just ask every democrat to send in their $45 bucks?

[dalereed]

"a cost to the average California driver of $45 a year."

Since I use over 40 gallons a week it would cost me over $200/year!

[tubebender]

"Regular" is a couple of pennies short of $2.00 here in
Eureka with "Premium" about $2.20...

[dalereed]

Regular is $2.03 to $2.10/gal. here in North County San Diego. The gas stations are raising the price twice a day in the last couple of days.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is about where we were yesterday.

Haven't been out today it may be higher!

[calcowgirl]

Transportation crisis?

They continue to suspend Prop 42 and raid the Transportation funds, and they call this a crisis?
They need to remove the suspension provision included in Prop 42 and use the 'revenue' they already receive!

[EGPWS]

Damn Demonic Rats:

The elitists must have moved to California from MN, for our days of being touted as one of the most liberal taxed states in the union is coming to a close, with the help of a Republican Governor of course.

[EGPWS]

Transportation crisis?

Yep, typical liberal philosophy.

The state as a whole can't support it's own spending to the point of special election for Governor, yet spending, and taxing more to pay for it, is STILL an agenda for the remaining politicians to repair the problems.

Kudos so far, to Arnold, however, I wish him well in finding "quiet time" to relax.

[GeronL]

I understand that Bush is still rejecting the Transportation Bill because of a 5 cent a gallon tax increase it contains.

CAUTION

RINO's at work.

[Guillermo]

Yeah, but it's For the Children.

What, don't you like Children?

[Elliott Jackalope]

There's just one word to describe what government wants, needs and plans on taking: More. More fees. More taxes. More revenues. More and more and more and more. Doesn't matter how much they currently take, or how much they currently spend, or how much of a burden they have become, they only want more. More and more and more and more and more and more. They are truly insatiable.

At this point the only way to fight back is to do less, earn less, and make do with less. If you don't make it in the first place then they can't take it. Starve the beast into submission. If you are a top earner, in the top brackets, take some time off for yourself. Don't fall into the trap of killing yourself trying to "get ahead" when all you end up doing is moving into higher and higher tax brackets. Do just enough to "get by", and let some other sucker take on the burden of carrying ten people on their backs. Eventually even Atlas will have to shrug...