Newsom still opposes gas tax holiday in California as prices soar. Here’s why

The Sacramento Bee via Yahoo ^ | May 13th, 2026 | Don Sweeney, Angela Rodriguez

[Mariner]

Amid soaring gas prices following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, proposals to suspend California’s gas taxes are getting a no-go from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

California has the highest gas tax in the nation at 61.2 cents per gallon, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.

According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California reached about $6.16 on Monday, May 11. Prices have climbed about $1.50 per gallon in the state since the Iran war began.

President Donald Trump on Monday said he plans to suspend the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon to reduce prices, CNN reported. But that would require congressional approval.

Newsom spokesperson Anthony Martinez slammed proposals for a tax holiday as a “gimmick” that would not help motorists and would instead strip funding for road repairs.

“Let’s be clear about the math: the federal gas tax is 18 cents a gallon. Trump’s Iran War surcharge? According to GasBuddy, it’s adding roughly $1.35 per gallon right now, costing American drivers $571 million today alone,” Martinez said.

[Mariner]

1. The bastards don't keep up the roads anyway. 2. In addition to the $.61 state gas tax, there another $.27 cost from "cap and trade" at the producer level. Add in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and other environmental "costs" and you're over $.50 in environmental fees.

Brings total state imposed costs to over $1.10 per gallon, dwarfing the Federal excise tax.

[ridesthemiles]

THEIR “VISIBLE” GAS TAX IS 61.2 CENTS. THEN THEY ADD SALES TAX (TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO TAX A TAX) OF 2.25 CENTS-—62.577 CENTS A GALLON

[llevrok]

The $#@%$#! governor of Washington state was asked about suspending the climate and roads tax on gasoline.

All he responded is that high gas and diesel prices were was Trump’s fault for the war with Iran.

There was no mention that WA gas has a 60 cent a gallon climate tax (that is now going into the general fund rather than for climate reasons as the law was passed) and that another 17 cents will be added to it this summer.

[minnesota_bound]

California has gold paved potholes....

[Dilbert San Diego]

Yes, i’ve heard California charges sales tax on gasoline. So you have a tax on a tax. Interesting they can do that.

[EC Washington]

$3.84 a Gallon at the Citgo in Highland, Indiana today.

[Scrambler Bob]

And CA taxes the recycle redemption value on bottles and cans.

You can redeem the value back, but not the tax on it.