On November 1, the largest gas tax increase in California history will go into effect. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), and Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) joined their constituents and local leaders in Chico to protest the $52 billion transportation tax increase.
“We have enough money to fix our roads without raising gas taxes,” said Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Vice Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and Caucus Chairman. “The problem is that, for years, Democrats have systematically been diverting billions of dollars from transportation. They are doing the same thing with this new tax: millions are already being redirected to park maintenance and lifeguard recruitment programs instead of being used to fix our roads, bridges and highways.
“Californians already pay too much at the pump! Many of my constituents live in rural areas and won’t be able to afford this onerous gas and car tax.
“We don’t need more taxes – we need Democrats to make fixing our roads a priority and stop diverting transportation funding to their own pet projects.”
"Don’t buy the lie. We can absolutely fix our roads without raising taxes,” said Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City). “State spending has increased by $39 billion since 2011. And not a dime of new revenues coming in have been spent on our roads. It’s a matter of priorities.”
BACKGROUND: Earlier this year Sacramento Democrats approved Senate Bill 1, the largest gas tax in California history. Beginning November 1, Californians will pay a gas tax of 12 cents more per gallon of gasoline and 20 cents more per gallon of diesel and a car tax of up to $175 more each year for vehicle registration.
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Elected to the State Senate in January 2013, Senator Nielsen represents the Fourth Senate District, which includes the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba. To contact Senator Jim Nielsen, please call him at 916-651-4004, or via email at senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov. Follow him on Twitter.
James Gallagher represents the 3rd Assembly District, which encompasses all of Glenn, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties as well as portions of Butte and Colusa counties.
