Strickland Renews Call to Abolish State Sales Tax on Gasoline

By Tony Strickland

Families shouldn't have to pick between a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas.

"Taxes make up more than 50 cents per gallon of gas," said Strickland. "Gas prices are too high and families shouldn't have to pick between a gallon of milk and a gallon of gasoline."

"Repealing this tax will end the unfair double taxation on gas, a policy we should have never allowed," continued Strickland. "This will put more than $600 in the pockets of Californians. That money could go to cover groceries, prescriptions and other necessities. It should never be used to grow government."

"State government seems to be flush with cash right now," concluded Strickland. "They just found an extra $4 Billion in new revenues. It's the taxpayers that need a helping hand + especially with gas prices over $3 per gallon. It's the least our government can do to help get us through this crisis."

State tax revenues are up more than $4 billion since January according to the Franchise Tax Board. Currently consumers pay four separate taxes on every gallon of gasoline: the 18.4 cents federal excise gas tax, 18 cents for state excise gas tax, 1.4 cents for state storage fees and an average of 21 cents per gallon in sales tax statewide.

Tony Strickland served for 6 years in the State Assembly. During his tenure he repeatedly proposed measures to abolish the sales tax on gasoline. As he renews his call to abolish the gas tax, Tony Strickland will be visiting numerous gas stations throughout California this week to pay back the 21 cents per gallon people pay in sales tax.

In 2002, California voters passed Proposition 42 to dedicate the sales tax revenue to transportation funding. Strickland's proposal includes a provision to repay those funds with the surplus state revenue.