Pringle Says He’ll Seek Repeal of California Gasoline Sales Tax
Following the lead of congressional Republicans, California Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle said Friday he will seek to repeal the state sales tax on gasoline.
Pringle (R-Garden Grove) called the sales tax on gas “double taxation” because it comes on top of state and federal excise taxes.
“This is an issue of fairness,” he said. “What people are paying at the pump is excessive and double taxation contributes to that excessiveness.”
Repealing the 7.75% state sales tax on gas could save consumers nearly 3 cents a gallon, Pringle said.
Gas prices across the nation have increased in recent months but the increases have been especially sharp in California, where pump prices have flirted with--and in some places exceeded--$2 per gallon.
Some lawmakers have suggested oil companies are taking excessive profits, but industry executives have blamed the increases on a number of factors, including market pressures, increasing demand and new state environmental regulations.
An Assembly tax committee will hold a hearing May 13 on Pringle’s bill. He said it could come before the full Assembly within two weeks.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
