State Democratic lawmakers took the first steps toward raising taxes and fees on motorists on Wednesday. This as the Legislature convened special sessions aimed at solving the state’s transportation funding crisis.
Members of a Senate committee tackling a huge backlog of roadway maintenance have endorsed legislation that would generate $4 billion annually for repairs. It would do so by increasing the gas tax 12 cents a gallon and boosting vehicle registration fees up to $100.
While significant, the party-line votes taken by the committees were merely an opening salvo in a battle between Democrats and Republicans. And that fight is expected to play out over the next few weeks about the fairness of fixing California’s crumbling roads.
Governor Jerry Brown has urged bipartisan cooperation in repairing the state’s roads, bridges, ports and other infrastructure. But Brown won’t say whether he supports Democratic moves to raise gas taxes or vehicle registration fees.
