Californians are facing a harsh reality: the crushing weight of high prices and unaffordability is baked into every facet of our lives. From groceries to gas, taxes and fees pop up daily, making it harder to make ends meet with each passing paycheck.
One of the biggest burdens for families is the cost of gasoline. We commute to work, shuttle kids to activities, visit family, and drive to church on Sundays. Gasoline is a necessity, but it’s increasingly challenging to afford alongside the rising costs of food, utilities, and housing.
Californians are paying the highest gas taxes in the nation, which adds a significant financial strain on families already struggling to cover their basic needs. The average Californian loses $300 to the gas tax each year and, as of today, the average price per gallon in California is more than $1.50 higher than the national average.
So, what can be done? We can suspend the gas tax immediately and bring much-needed relief to California families, especially as we approach the holiday season. Lowering the price of gas has a ripple effect—it doesn’t just reduce the cost of fuel, it brings down the price of all goods transported within the state.
In 2021, I called for a suspension of the gas tax as rising costs began to take a toll on our residents. Since then, prices have spiraled out of control, and I’m once again pushing to put the gas tax on hold so Californians can catch a break.
This time, I’ve drafted a bill to suspend the gas tax for a year and ensure that any revenue lost as a result of the gas tax suspension intended to fund transportation projects are replaced by general fund dollars. Despite a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, the governor signed several legislative priorities – such as AB 1866 (Hart, 2024) – which will result in millions of dollars of annual revenue losses. The Budget Act of 2024 included a $37.3 million General Fund backfill for the Trial Court Trust Fund – which will likely be used to enforce the administrative civil penalties authorized by AB X2 1 (Hart, 2024), the only bill heard during this special session.
If the majority party can find money for their priorities, they can find money for the priorities of everyday Californians.
So far, Senate Democrats have refused to let me introduce the bill, using political and procedural tactics to block it. They don’t want to debate the issue or go on record opposing this commonsense solution.
Not taking no for an answer, I formally sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, urging the introduction of my Senate Bill during the Second Extraordinary Session. I sent this letter because I’m fighting for transparency, accountability, and real relief for every family struggling with rising fuel costs. It’s time we have an open and honest discussion about how California’s taxes and fees contribute to these skyrocketing prices.
Despite these roadblocks, I will continue to push for this bill because suspending the gas tax for the next year just makes sense. No, one year isn’t a permanent solution. The excessive gas taxes will still be unreasonable a year from now, but this temporary relief would give Californians some breathing room and an opportunity to save a little hard-earned cash. More importantly, it gives us time to work together on long-term solutions to address the broader issue of affordability in this state.
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh serves in the California Senate.
