Drivers in California may soon get some relief at the pump, as Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley plans to introduce a bill to bring down the state’s excessive gas tax by threatening to withhold federal funding.
At nearly 71 cents per gallon, California has the combined state and federal gas taxaccording to the Tax Foundation— with astate levy of 61.2 centsas of last July, up from 59.6 cents.
Despite thesteep cost at the pumpfor drivers, Kiley said the state has “little to show for it.”
The bill would withhold certain federal highway funding for states that have gas taxes exceeding 50 cents per gallon.
“This bill sends a clear message: states that overtax their citizens to compensate for inefficient spending should not expect unlimited federal support,” Kiley said in a press release. “If Sacramento wants Washington’s help, it should stop punishing drivers.”
States would see an 8 percent reduction in funding from the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG).
The announcement comes on the heels ofPresident Donald Trumpvowing to bring down fuel prices, telling The California Post in January he was considering putting a cap on state fuel tax.
While the average cost at the pump in the US in February is $2.92, in California residents pay $4.49, according to AAA.
While Kiley looks to curb the tax at the pump, California Democratic lawmakers are proposing taxing motorists for each mile they drive.
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Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
