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   From: #democrat_pedophiles@twitter.com   
      
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   nambla nancy  wrote:   
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   The California legislature is going to miss a May 1 deadline to   
   kill the annual summer increase in its 51-cent gas tax, Gov.   
   Gavin Newsom’s office said.   
      
   The increase goes against Newsom’s January promise to motorists   
   that he would suspend any tax increases given that the state   
   pays the highest amount in the nation, both in taxes and per   
   gallon. Currently, the average price to fill up is $5.69,   
   according to AAA.   
      
   “It is clear now that the Legislature will not act in time to   
   provide that immediate, limited relief, but we look forward to   
   working with lawmakers on the Governor’s proposal for direct   
   payments to Californians wrestling with rising prices,” Newsom’s   
   press office said in a statement.   
      
   “The sooner we can move this package through the legislative   
   process, the sooner we can deliver needed relief to   
   Californians," the office added.   
      
   The legislature has nixed several attempts to push through a   
   Republican bill to suspend the entire gas tax for eight months.   
   Democrats cite concern over lost revenue, but the state   
   currently has a $46 billion budget surplus, which could increase   
   by $23 billion after income taxes are tallied.   
      
   Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong said he has seen no sense of   
   urgency from the legislature's leadership to pass a bill nixing   
   the gas tax increase. The state’s Department of Finance has   
   provided the language, but so far, nothing has been done.   
      
   “This inaction by Gov. Newsom and Assembly Democrats is   
   completely unacceptable,” said Fong, who is on the Assembly   
   Transportation Committee. “Gavin Newsom is going to allow gas   
   prices to go up knowing Californians are being crushed by   
   inflation, high gas prices, and a broader affordability crisis.”   
      
   Last week, the committee held a hearing and passed bills to   
   curtail freeway expansion throughout most of Southern California   
   and to expedite construction of wildlife overpasses, but no   
   mention was made of the gas tax.   
      
   “The legislature has acted on other items,” Fong said. “They are   
   not acting on this, which is completely mind boggling and tone   
   deaf. We should’ve acted on this months ago.”   
      
   Newsom could also issue an executive order if he wished,   
   regardless of when the deadline is imposed. Past orders have   
   included placing a moratorium on the death penalty, declaring   
   multiple states of emergency for natural disasters and COVID-19,   
   and spending $1 billion on masks without legislative approval.   
      
   “Helping offset the impact of inflation on California residents   
   remains a top priority for the Governor, and his revised budget   
   will include proposals to help Californians keep pace with   
   rising costs,” Newsom’s office said.   
      
   He has proposed a $400 gas tax rebate for each motorist in lieu   
   of lifting the tax. Republicans are skeptical that that money   
   will ever reach residents given the state’s propensity for red   
   tape.   
      
   “He could certainly put more effort in, for sure. It’s clearly   
   not a priority for the governor,” Fong said.   
      
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