Gov. Newsom shows support for higher gas taxes

July 10, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 18: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at the California justice department on September 18, 2019 in Sacramento, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, California attorney general Xavier Becerra and California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols held a news conference in response to the Trump Administration's plan to revoke California’s waiver to establish vehicle emissions standards for greenhouse gas emissions and standards to require manufacturers to sell zero emissions vehicles. Under the federal Clean Air Act, California is allowed to set its own vehicle emissions standards that are at least as protective as the federal government’s standards. The state has received 100 waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for higher standards than federally mandated over the past 50 years. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at the California justice department on September 18, 2019 in Sacramento, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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UPDATED 7:06 PM PT – Saturday, July 10, 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has faced backlash for his comments supporting the state’s high gas taxes. This week, the Democrat voiced his support for the highest gas taxes in the U.S., saying nobody deserves a free ride.

Republican gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming recall election, Kevin Faulconer, questioned Newsom’s statement.

Gavin Newsom said that he supports higher gas taxes because no one should get a “free ride”.

Does anyone think taxes are too low in California, or that we are getting a free ride? #RecallGavinNewsom https://t.co/dVfU4opWYl

— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) July 9, 2021

Gas prices are currently higher in California than any other state. Since the tax increase was first implemented, drivers have seen the tax go above 60 cents a gallon. The hike is part of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act, which was passed in 2017. The money is allegedly being raised to pay for bridge and road repairs.

The California Republican Party released a statement regarding the large tax hike, acknowledging California has the highest gas prices and gas taxes in the nation while calling out Newsom and other Democrats for the rise. “Despite a budget surplus, Democrats ignored the calls for a gas tax holiday, instead taking more from hard-working Californians who are simply trying to make their daily commute.”