Signature-Gathering Rally To Repeal Gas-Tax Hike Set Today

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – A group seeking to undo the gas tax hikes approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor last year will hold a signature-gathering rally today in Corona, with a deadline to collect 500,000 registered voters' names just a few weeks away.

Reform California, a San Diego-based political advocacy organization, is sponsoring the rally outside the Ayres Hotel at 2260 Griffin Way. KFI AM 640 radio hosts Jon and Ken are slated to be on hand.

According to Reform California, a half million signatures are needed by Feb. 2 to qualify the proposed repeal measure on the statewide ballot this year.

Former San Diego City Councilman -- now Reform California Chairman -- Carl DeMaio said just over half of the required signatures have been gathered.

"There's no doubt that collecting so many signatures is a massive undertaking, but that's why we're in more cities and more places to make sure that Californians have every opportunity to sign the repeal petition," DeMaio said.

The aim is to void Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017, which imposed tax hikes totaling $52 billion over the next decade, with drivers paying 12 cents more per gallon at the pump and an average $50 more in vehicle license fees beginning last Nov. 1.

Tax hikes of 20 cents per gallon were imposed on diesel operators, with a 5.75 percent increase in diesel sales taxes.

According to Reform California, the average family of four can expect to pay almost $800 more in taxes this year because of SB 1.

Supporters argued in April that the measure was vital to cover the cost of transportation infrastructure improvements and new projects, including several in Riverside County.

They noted that the state's petrol tax rates had not been increased since the early 1990s.

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--City News Service/Pixabay image via Skitterphoto