The California Legislature deleted a bill calling for a tax on Big Oil in lieu of suspending taxes at the pump following a large public backlash.
Democrats were accused of hijacking a Republican bill last week that gutted language implementing a six-month holiday on the state’s 51-cent gas tax. Instead, language was inserted that taxed oil companies on profits above 30 cents per gallon.
The bill was supposed to go to the Appropriations Committee but in a surprise move ended up on the Assembly floor Thursday, where it was deleted. Technically, the original bill is still alive and can be restored. The amendments have yet to appear on the Legislature’s tracking site.
“The Supermajority’s scheme to turn my gas tax bill into a tax increase was such a debacle they’re destroying the evidence it ever happened. They just passed an extraordinary motion to ‘strike’ the bill out of existence,” tweeted Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Republican.
The Supermajority’s scheme to turn my gas tax bill into a tax increase was such a debacle they’re destroying the evidence it ever happened. They just passed an extraordinary motion to “strike” the bill out of existence.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) April 7, 2022
The rebuke from Republicans, motorists, and even the media had been swift after news surfaced that another tax was potentially on the horizon. One GOP assemblyman called the amendments “asinine.”
Calif. Dems ‘hijack’ gas tax holiday bill, convert GOP measure into another gas tax hike.https://t.co/lSLh1RJ5Pf pic.twitter.com/acTT0hmcR5
— TravelerA5 (@TravelerA5) March 31, 2022
‘ASININE’: CALIFORNIA SEEKS TO LEVY BIG OIL PROFITS INSTEAD OF SUSPENDING GAS TAX
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon told Sacramento’s Fox affiliate, “They know it’s not a stunt — this is the way we do business.”
Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo had asked Rendon on April 3 to explain the bill’s amendment, and he added, “Committees have the right to introduce amendments on bills. This is just the way we do things in Sacramento.”
“They know it’s not a political stunt, this is the way we do business.” California Assembly Speaker @Rendon63rd responds to the situation surrounding @KevinKileyCA‘s gas tax suspension bill #AB1638 to @NikkiLaurenzo on #InsideCAPolitics pic.twitter.com/lsvhwpf96L
— Inside California Politics (@CAinsider) April 3, 2022
In another interview, Laurenzo asked the amendment’s author, Assemblyman Alex Lee, to explain how the extra gas tax would make its way to consumers. No direct answer was given.
Members of the public were less accommodating.
“Actually not everyone who disagrees with you is a conservative. I voted for you but never will again,” one Californian tweeted at Lee.
California has the highest gas price in the nation, with an average of $5.80 per gallon, while the country itself is averaging $4.15, according to AAA. Parts of Los Angeles are seeing prices surpass $7.
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The Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom have steadfastly refused a moratorium on gas taxes, although a proposed $400 rebate for all vehicle owners is in the works. The state has a projected $47 billion surplus.
