Welcome to California, where you can check out any time you like, but piles of your money will never leave.
As Democrats wail about “affordability,” their actions almost always make your life less affordable. Does Gov. Gavin Newsom care about the sky-high cost of living in the Golden State, or the fact that his fiefdom sports the highest income tax in the nation? If he did, he would do something about this latest atrocity, which hits the pumps on July 1.
State Senate candidate Mike Netter notes that California already has the highest gas tax in the nation:
California Gas Tax Hike Starts July 1, 2026
— Mike Netter (@nettermike) June 29, 2026
Effective this Wednesday, California’s state gasoline excise tax increases by 2.2 cents per gallon, rising from 61.2¢ to 63.4¢ per gallon.
This is the highest state gas tax in the nation and happens automatically every July 1 under… pic.twitter.com/KWqCq982gd
California Gas Tax Hike Starts July 1, 2026
Effective this Wednesday, California’s state gasoline excise tax increases by 2.2 cents per gallon, rising from 61.2¢ to 63.4¢ per gallon.
This is the highest state gas tax in the nation and happens automatically every July 1 under Senate Bill 1 (2017). The adjustment is tied to inflation via the California Consumer Price Index and helps fund road repairs, highway maintenance, and transportation infrastructure.
- Quick facts:
- New state excise tax: 63.4¢/gallon (gasoline)
- Diesel tax also rises to 48.2¢/gallon
- California drivers already pay some of the highest gas prices in the U.S. (recent average around $5.45–$5.50/gallon vs. national average ~$3.86)
The increase is small on its own but adds up — especially for commuters, families, and small businesses. Many drivers are planning to fill up before July 1.
Pro tip: Check your local prices and top off your tank if convenient
Are you happy with fuel prices in California?
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Republican lawmakers in California are urging Newsom to take a stand and suspend the upcoming hike. Unfortunately, the state has been subject to one-party rule for 16 years, where Dems hold both houses of the state legislature and the governor’s office — a leftist trifecta — so asking them for common sense is like howling into the wind during a thunderstorm.
Voters should remember this when Newsom starts talking about how much he cares about the regular guy in the upcoming presidential primaries, where he’s almost certain to run.
California’s GOP congressional delegation, led by Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., to suspend the planned 2.2-cent-per-gallon hike, which would raise the state's excise gas tax to 63.4 cents per gallon.
The lawmakers say that figure doesn't include the state's sales tax and other local fees, bringing the total surcharge burden to about $1.15 per gallon at California pumps.
"According to AAA, the average price of gasoline in California is currently $5.58 per gallon—the highest in the nation and $1.65 above the national average," the lawmakers wrote Friday in a letter sent to Newsom. "Instead of further unaffordable increases to California’s gasoline excise tax, we urge you to prioritize commonsense energy policies that will provide meaningful relief for all Californians."
Gas taxes in California increase again Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/aVH7uNrEuz
— Monterey County Republican Party (@MCGOP_CA) June 29, 2026
Democrats have been running on a theme of affordability, but with virtually every move they make, your life gets more expensive. Watch what they do, and ignore what they say.
“Affordability” is just their latest word for more taxes.
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