Sacramento, CA…The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced today (31) it is backing a ballot measure that will repeal $5.2 billion in annual gas and car tax increases that take effect November 1st, and requires that future increases be approved by voters. The measure, Voter Approval for Increases in the Gas and Car Tax, has been filed with the Attorney General (17-0033) and HJTA will be working on its qualification for the November 2018 statewide ballot.

“The latest increase in gas and car taxes is part of state government’s ongoing war against working people and middle-class taxpayers that will cost $600 a year for an average California family,” said HJTA President Jon Coupal. “The Sacramento politicians have seized on every opportunity to divert gas tax revenues from their intended purpose, fixing roads. As the roads predictably deteriorate, they plead poverty and justify digging deeper into taxpayers’ pockets,” added Coupal.

The proposed constitutional amendment is simply written. If approved by voters, the tax increases that take effect this week would be repealed next year and could not be reinstated in the future without an additional vote of the people. “The politicians have proven themselves to be untrustworthy in dealing with the car and gas tax,” Coupal said. “The solution is to give voters the final say.”

The full text of Voter Approval for Increases in the Gas and Car Tax follows:

INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS

SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND PURPOSES (a) California’s taxes on gasoline and car ownership are among the highest in the nation. (b) These taxes have been raised without the consent of the people. (c) Therefore, the people hereby amend the Constitution to require voter approval of the recent increase in the gas and car tax enacted by Chapter 5 of the Statutes of 2017 and any future increases in the gas and car tax.

SECTION 2. VOTER APPROVAL FOR INCREASES IN GAS AND CAR TAX

Section 3.5 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution is added to read: Sec. 3.5(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Legislature shall not impose, increase or extend any tax, as defined in section 3, on the sale, storage, use or consumption of motor vehicle gasoline or diesel fuel, or on the privilege of a resident of California to operate on the public highways a vehicle, or trailer coach, unless and until that proposed tax is submitted to the electorate and approved by a majority vote. (b) This section does not apply to taxes on motor vehicle gasoline or diesel fuel, or on the privilege of operating a vehicle or trailer coach at the rates that were in effect on January 1, 2017. Any increase in the rate of such taxes imposed after January 1, 2017 shall cease to be imposed unless and until approved by the electorate as required by this section.