This past Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom sounded the call for a special session in order to try and impose yet another series of taxes against the various gas and oil companies.
As part of a recent social media post, Newsom stated that he would be calling a special session of the California legislature to try and push through new laws creating a large windfall tax against oil and gas companies. The new tax proposal would tax place despite the fact that California already sports the largest gas tax in the country, to go along with the highest gas prices. It also comes just as the state has chosen to make stronger moves in which they chose to ban the sale of new gas cars.
“NEW: I’m calling for a Special Session to address the greed of oil companies,” stated Newsom. “Gas prices are too high. Time to enact a windfall profits tax directly on oil companies that are ripping you off at the pump.”
This plan coming from Newsom would end up pushing the punishment down the line directly to the drivers of California, who are currently struggling with the highest gas prices in the nation. The average price per gallon of gas for the state is sitting at $6.36, as reported by AAA. That is the highest price in the country, and a staggering $2.40 more than the national average which sits at roughly $3.90 per gallon.
The state of California also sports the highest gas tax in the nation. According to one report from 2021 coming from the nonprofit Tax Foundation. California already slams the gas companies with a combined 66.98 cents per gallon tax on gas. Back in June of this year, the state spiked its gas excise tax by over three cents. Overall, taxes and fees make up over $1.18 of the oppressively high gas prices in California, as reported by KTLA. The Air Resource Board for California also set in place a series of strict regulations against chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and sulfur, along with imports of fuel from the Middle East.
Conservatives called out the move via social media.
“Only an economically illiterate Democrat would think enacting yet another state tax on petroleum companies will bring about a decrease in gas prices LOL,” stated David Giglio, conservative activist and former California Congressional candidate. “You couldn’t make up this level of stupid if you tried.”
“Gas prices in Florida are half the price in California,” stated Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director for Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign. “Why is it only California with $7 gas right now!”
“Gas is .$80 cheaper in OR, $.90 in NV, and $1.80 in AZ than in CA,” expressed the US Oil & Gas Association. “Might it be the $1.19 more in tax per gallon your charge than your neighbors because you can? That seems a bit greedy actually…”
