Vote To Repeal The Gas Tax Makes California Ballot In 2018

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA – This fall, the burden to decide if a gas tax will continue is up to California voters. The initiative to repeal the tax increase will be on the ballots in November, after almost 650,000 registered voters across California signed to make it so. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla's office Monday said that the target signature estimate was "exceeded."

Gov. Jerry Brown blasted the initiative to repeal the tax. Brown, together with state Democratic leaders, pushed for the gas tax increase to fix California's roads and bridges.

"This flawed and dangerous measure pushed by Trump's Washington allies jeopardizes the safety of millions of Californians by stopping local communities from fixing their crumbling roads and bridges. Just say no," Brown said in a statement.

A campaign financed by national Republican leaders, including GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox, spent $1.7 million to put the Gas Tax Repeal Initiative on the ballot.

Carl DeMaio, a conservative talk show host on KOGO Radio in San Diego and chairman of Reform California, spearheaded the effort.
"We are thrilled by the successful qualification of the Gas Tax Repeal Initiative and this is a huge win for the tens of thousands dedicated and organized grass roots volunteers who helped collect signatures," DeMaio said.

State law requires the signatures of 8 percent of the number of voters who cast ballots in the last gubernatorial general election, for an initiative to make it to the ballot.

What do you think about the repeal of the gas tax? Good idea or bad for our roads? Let us know in comments.

--City News Service, Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to htis report

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