Sec. Granholm Thinks We All “Look to California,” Where the Gas Tax Continues to Rise

May 6, 2022

The people of California won’t be getting any relief at the pump, but Secretary Jenifer Granholm thinks the state is a model for the rest of us. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom will fail to uphold his promise to suspend the implementation of the 5.6 percent tax increase on gas scheduled to take effect July 1. California lawmakers have still not yet passed the legislation needed by May 1 to prevent the increase from happening. Californians are already suffering from high prices. Megan Henney writes for Fox Business:

“Prices for a regular gallon of gas hit $4.13 on Wednesday, according to AAA, up from $2.88 one year ago. But California – as is usually the case – has seen the steepest prices in the country, with a gallon of gas reaching $5.68. In some parts of the state, prices are even higher: Mono County has recorded an average price of $6.61 per gallon. California already has the nation’s highest gas tax at 51 cents per gallon. The levy will rise to 53.9 cents per gallon at the beginning of July.”

In January, California state Republicans introduced a bill to immediately suspend the gas tax and backfill the projects from the state’s $45 billion surplus. However, the proposal failed to secure enough votes in March and Californians continue to suffer from Democratic lawmaking as such.

Newsom and his progressive allies in California have long been the tip of the spear for forcing people to purchase expensive electric vehicles. They have enforced mandates and high gas tax increases instead of giving Californians the freedom to choose which kind of car is best for their needs. 

Leaders in the Biden administration think California is a shining example for the rest of the nation. In Washington, Biden’s Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm offers her out-of-touch take on the situation, saying, “The whole country looks to what California is doing.” 

The problem is when Americans look to California, they’ll find unaffordable fuel prices, government mandates, and crippling regulations. When it comes time to buy another vehicle or fill up their gas tanks, Granholm can bet they’ll be looking elsewhere.