Two California Democratic legislators on Aug. 17 released a $7.4 billion transportation funding plan that would increase the state gas tax by 17 cents-per-gallon and the diesel tax by 30 cents-per-gallon, with both indexed to inflation. The proposal would also create a new $165 annual registration fee for zero-emission vehicles and implement some administrative changes and environmental streamlining.
With state Republican lawmakers also turning their attention to solving California’s sizable transportation funding shortfall, there is the possibility of a special session after the Nov. 8 general election.
On the same day that the transportation funding proposal was unveiled, a new report analyzing California’s transportation infrastructure challenges was released by TRIP, a national transportation research group. The research found that deficient roads cost the state’s drivers $53.6 billion a year, with the average per-driver cost in the state’s largest urban areas ranging from $1,858 to $2,826 per year. To read TRIP’s full report, click here.