Assemblyman Vince Fong Proposes to Temporarily Suspend the Gas Tax

In contrast to Newsom’s price control proposal that will increase the cost of gasoline and energy

December 6, 2022

In keeping his promise to bring real immediate relief to California drivers from high gas prices, Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Central Valley) introduced two measures to temporarily suspend the gas tax.

“Persistent inflation continues to cause painful financial burdens on California families,” said Assemblyman Fong. “We must do what we can to help ease these difficulties immediately.”

California drivers pay more than $1.20 per gallon than drivers in other states because of taxes, fees and mandates.

Assemblyman Vince Fong’s two legislative proposals – Assembly Bill 53 and Assembly Bill X1-2 – were introduced concurrently in Regular and the First Extraordinary Session. Specifically, these measures will suspend the gas tax for a year. Projects and programs currently funded by the gas tax will be backfilled by the State General Fund.

“These bills will provide immediate relief by lowering prices at the pump for all Californians,” Fong said following the introduction of his legislative proposal to suspend the gas tax.  

“The Governor continues to demonize the hard working people that power California and proposes to increase energy cost even more with his ill-conceived price control proposal,” said Fong.

“The contrast could not be clearer. These measures to temporarily suspend the state’s gas tax will bring more money back in the hands of California drivers,” Assemblyman Vince Fong said. “In addition to suspending the gas tax, the long term solution to the energy crisis the Governor created is to give families more reliable, affordable and dependable energy supply.”

AB 53 and AB X1-2 await their first committee hearing. These bills will take effect immediately following the Governor’s signature.