Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Republican Caucus Chairman, issued the following statement:

“There is no sunset to this massive $52 billion tax.

“Our highways, roads and bridges are in ‘third world’ condition. Transportation, however, has not been a priority for Sacramento Democrats.

“This massive tax will not only impact Californians at the gas pump; it will result in higher costs for food, clothes and other goods.

“This will affect the working poor and middle class Californians like Miranda Thomas, a single mom on a fixed income with a young child who needs to see a pediatrician often. She wrote to me and said, ‘Being poor shouldn’t force us off the road.’”