UPDATE: California Senate approves gas tax bill
UPDATE 4/6/17 9:28 P.M.: The California Senate approved the gas tax bill in a 27-11 vote Thursday.
That is the minimum number of votes needed to pass the bill.
The bill now heads to the Assembly for a vote.
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California state lawmakers are set to vote on the gas tax bill that aims to raise over $50 billion for infrastructure work.
The state senate is scheduled to finish voting on the bill approving the increase on Thursday. Democrats are putting on pressure to get this gas tax approved before lawmakers head into spring recess this weekend. The bill heads to the state assembly after the senate votes.
One Scotts Valley resident takes Highway 17 to San Jose for work.
“It could probably be kept up a little more. There’s potholes here and there and areas that could be fixed up or made safer,” said Dave Bradley.
When it comes to a higher gas tax, Bradley says it is a spoonful of medicine.
“I’m not generally a fan of more taxes, but I guess if we’re going to improve the roads, the gas tax is the most applicable way to do it,” said Bradley.
The bill, pushed by Governor Jerry Brown and democratic leaders, boosts gas taxes by 12 cents a gallon. It also puts in place higher car registration fees and a $100 charge on electric vehicles.
State officials hope to raise $52 billion to fix broken roads and bridges.
Californians are used to feeling some pain at the pump. The state’s average gasoline price reached $3 a gallon in March. That’s the second highest average in the nation.
“I hate to see anything go onto gas because it gets so expensive every time anyway,” said Garyn Charlet, a Scotts Valley resident. “But I also have to say, especially with the winter we had, you got to have some money to fix all that stuff.”
“I understand that we had a lot of storm damage and we do need a lot of roads repaired,” said William Westerman, another Scotts Valley resident. “But it’s like they keep hitting the little people, so where is it going to end? You know what I mean? You keep paying and paying and paying.”
There are about 26 million licensed drivers in California. There are about 40 million people living in the state.
