Take a Giant Break on Those Tax Prices

 

CURTIS LEE Staff Writer

 

In the midterm elections of 2018, Proposition 6, the gas tax repeal, was passed with a 53% yes votes to a 47% no votes. Gas prices in California have been the second highest in the country with a hefty local and state sales tax on top of the federal tax. The failed Senate Bill 1 of 2017, endorsed by former Governor Jerry Brown and the Democratic Party, is not entirely to blame for such high gas taxes.

Even with the recent repeal of that bill, California continues to average over 60 cents per gallon on taxes compared to the national average. Gas taxes cannot continue to increase because of the financial stress caused by such an expensive resource. The average California resident pays $1000 a year in gas taxes alone versus the national average of $1200 in total gas spending.

Continued attempts to increase gas taxes will only force low income residents and large corporations out of the state. If the cost of transportation is too high, those who cannot afford it could be forced to move to states with lower costs for transportation and other living expenses. States like Arizona, Nevada and Texas are some examples of lower tax destinations. According to the Census Bureau, California lost more people due to domestic migration over the course of 2016 to 2017. The trend will only continue if gas taxes are continually increased.

The public transit system in Southern California needs to be invested into so that transportation taxes can become less of a burden. The promise of funding additional infrastructure of the Senate Bill 1 was never fulfilled nor is the system currently dependable or used by many local residents. Gas taxes must remain at the current rate or lower if the state wants to keep its residents. In addition to the loss of tax revenue from large companies that move out of the state, those in poverty will be placed under greater financial stress. People who are living in poverty are more likely to experience unemployment, both short and long term.

The current conditions in California and high cost of living makes it harder for single income families and recipients of welfare to get by. Unlike the companies with the financial ability to move their headquarters to other states, those living in low income areas will be forced out of their homes and onto the streets.As a state that claims to care for all people equally, the additional costs from any gas tax increases would prove detrimental to those with lower incomes.