California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing pressure to throw a lifeline to Californians struggling with highest-in-the-nation gas prices as President Donald Trump signed plans tosuspend the federal gas tax.

Trump said Monday he plans to “take off the gas tax for a period of time” — though he needs the backing of Congress — calling it a “great idea” to offer Americans relief at the pump.Newsom has no plans to follow suit in California — wheregas priceshovered at $6.16 per gallon Monday, well above the national average of $4.52, according to AAA.

California drivers already shoulder the highest gas taxes in the country, which include an excise tax of 61 cents per gallon, sales taxes and other fees. The federal gas tax is 18 cents per gallon by comparison.

“I support any and all efforts to give Californians relief from high gas prices,” Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Republican-leaning independent, told The Post. “A pause in the federal tax would help, but the bigger problem is California’s highest-in-the-nation state tax.”

“I have introduced the Gas Tax Reduction Act to limit this tax and have called on state leaders to suspend the 61-cent-per-gallon tax in its entirety,” he added.

“[The gas tax] is the most regressive tax in California—working people, rural people are spending three times as much maintaining our roads as wealthier EV owners,” said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Dem candidate for governor, who’s called to suspend and reform the gas tax.

“Gavin Newsom should have suspended it, as I called upon him to do months ago. Now he has no excuse. What is wrong with Gavin Newsom?” said Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for governor.

The federal gas tax has been in place since the 1990s, and generates up to $40 billion annually to support the Highway Trust Fund, which pays for road maintenance and construction.

Temporarily suspending the federal gas tax likely requires approval from Congress. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said on social media that he would introduce legislation to accomplish that when Congress reconvenes this week, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced similar plans.

Newsom’s office called Trump’s announcement a “distraction” and a “gimmick” that would not help motorists.

Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos