‘We can’t go to work!’ Californians sound off as stifling new gas tax increase to hit in July

Communist California’s left-wing officials have made the average Californian’s life even harder by massively increasing gas taxes.

Last fall, the left-wing California Air Resources Board (CARB) authorized new regulations to go into effect this July 1 that “will limit the amount of carbon in fuel by increasing penalties for refineries that produce high-carbon diesel and gasoline,” according to San Diego station KFMB.

This new Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation is expected to spike gas prices by as much as a whopping 65 cents per gallon at a time when California’s gas prices are already through the roof.

Indeed, as of June, gas prices in the leftist state were hovering around $4.74 per gallon, a gigantic 51.4 percent increase over the national average of $3.13 per gallon.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) to vote on new carbon emissions standard that would raise gas prices by 65 cents with the potential of an up to 85 cent increase.

All members of this board are appointed by Gavin Newsom. You cannot dislike him enough! pic.twitter.com/M8rcBjyvpe

— Max Bonilla (@outragedteen_) October 20, 2024

Californians are not happy with these numbers.

“It’s a struggle, it’s a struggle,” a San Diego resident named Michael told KFMB.

“If this car doesn’t roll, we can’t go to work, and if you don’t go to work, you’re homeless,” his wife, Cynthia, added.

State Sen. Tory Strickland concurred.

“One of the most unaffordable things in California right now is gas,” he told Redding station KRCR. “Many people across the state are having to decide between a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas.”

Yet even more gas tax increases are incoming.

“The new clean air regulations will coincide with an increase in California’s excise tax on fuel, which will rise by about two cents to 61.2 cents per gallon on July 1,” according to the station.

Gavin Newsom goes on an angry tirade about evil oil companies manipulating facts and lying about high gas prices.

On a completely and totally unrelated note, California gas tax goes up another 2 cents per gallon on July 1 pic.twitter.com/EGawm0XG1v

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 4, 2025

California Republicans tried for their part to stop the regulation-related hike by pushing a bill, Senate Bill 2, that would have repealed the California Air Resources Board’s new standards.

“By bringing this bill to the floor, we allow every member the opportunity to repeal Governor Newsom’s 65-cent gas price hike,” bill author state Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican, said in a statement to KRCR.

But sadly, they failed to pass 10-23, with Democrats predictably voting unanimously to maintain the massive gas tax hike on their constituents.

Jones wasn’t happy.

“Senate Democrats unanimously opposed it,” he said after the vote. “They had a chance to stand with California drivers, but instead, they chose to defend the highest gas prices in the nation.”

“Democrats in the legislature kicked sand in Californians’ faces and declined to intervene with these regulations,” he added.

Senate Democrats were quick to kill my SB 2, a measure that would have repealed Newsom’s 65-cent gas price hike.

They talk a big game about affordability, but their only real action is raising prices and shutting down solutions. #FixCalifornia https://t.co/B3DCBEyxHz

— Brian W. Jones (@SenBrianJones) June 2, 2025

It’s amazing that he even got the bill this far.

“Despite initial bipartisan support, SB 2 faced significant hurdles,” according to The Desert Review. “In March, it failed a Senate committee vote and was considered dead until reconsideration was granted.”

“However, the bill remained stalled for months, frustrating supporters as the budget deadline approached and gas prices loomed higher for the summer,” the report continues.

Tensions reportedly escalated last week when CARB chair Liane Randolph admitted that the board hadn’t considered the economic impact of the new regulation.

“That admission is stunning,” Jones said afterward. “CARB is making billion-dollar decisions that hit every family at the pump, and they’re doing it without even asking what it will cost. That level of arrogance and detachment from reality is exactly why we need SB 2.”

Thanks to Democrats, Californians are now en route to seeing $8 per gallon gas prices by the end of 2026.

California’s insane regulations on the oil and gas industry are leading to $8 gas. The state is poised to lose two major oil refineries within the next year, accounting for approximately 20% of its refining capacity. These closures are a direct result of stringent environmental… pic.twitter.com/OXvdZSAVpO

— Mike Netter (@nettermike) May 31, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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