Groups | Search | Server Info | Login | Register

Groups > ca.driving > #8291

GOP gubernatorial candidate schools Democrats on 'outrageous' tax that could charge drivers per mile

Cross-posted to 6 groups.

Show all headers | View raw

A leading Republican running for California governor blasted Golden
State Democrats for an “outrageous” mileage tax that would force drivers
to pay based on how much they drive. 

“If the Democrats get their way, this journey — and every single journey
made by anyone driving anywhere in California — will be tracked,” the
GOP candidate Steve Hilton said. “You’re gonna have to pay a charge for
every mile you drive. It is absolutely outrageous.” 

California’s proposed mileage tax, or “road charge,” would replace the
gas tax with a per-mile fee. 

The controversial Assembly Bill 1421 was passed 43-18 on Thursday
despite pushback from critics suspicious of another pinch on their
wallets. The bill does not enact the tax but will fund research on rates
and collection methods by the California Transportation Commission and
state Transportation Agency. 

A report on the conclusions is due by Jan. 1, 2027.

Hilton, who has raised the most money of gubernatorial candidates
outside of billionaire Tom Steyer, called the tax a total “ripoff.” 

“We already have the highest taxes in the country, the highest gas tax,
vehicle registration,” he said in a video shared on X. 

“I’m telling you right now, if they try to pass this bill for a road
charge, I will say no, no, no, and veto it.” 

California motorists could pay $228 or as much as $1,026 more per year
under the mileage charge, which could range between two to nine cents
per mile. Golden State drivers put about 11,400 miles on their vehicles
a year, according to averages. 

The proposed tax comes as the state faces a nearly $3 billion budget
deficit and lawmakers look to make up lost revenue as more drivers
switch to electric and hybrid vehicles. 

Republican lawmaker Alexandra Macedo had previously said the fee would
disproportionately hit rural residents and long-distance commuters over
rich drivers with newer, high-tech cars. 

“This favors wealthy EV drivers over everyday Californians,” Macedo
said. “We already pay the highest gas tax in the U.S. We shouldn’t be
adding a mileage tax on top of it.” 

California drivers already pay the highest gas prices in the continental
US with an average price per gallon in January reaching an eye-watering
$4.23. Only Hawaii motorists are forced to dish out more, according to
AAA. 

Aside from the burden of the tax, critics have sounded the alarm that
the mileage tax could mean Orewellian government monitoring of
residents. To calculate the mileage tax, the Golden State could go Big
Brother and create a database that says where cars are traveling on a
daily basis, critics warned. 

https://nypost.com/2026/02/01/us-news/california-gubernatorial-candidate-
slams-plan-to-tax-drivers-per-mile/ 

Back to ca.driving | Previous | Next | Find similar

Thread

GOP gubernatorial candidate schools Democrats on 'outrageous' tax that could charge drivers per mile Pelosi Goes To prison <noreply@mixmin.net> - 2026-03-04 09:47 +0000

csiph-web