Senator Michael Morrell represents the 23rd State Senate
District,
which covers portions of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los
Angeles Counties.
SACRAMENTO
- On Monday December 1st, the first day of the new legislative
session, Senator Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, joined with his Republican
colleagues and stakeholder groups to introduce legislation that would
eliminate the ‘hidden’ gas tax, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2015.
"If the hidden
gas tax goes into full effect, it will hurt families and working Californians
who are just now recovering from the recession," said Morrell. "For many of my
constituents, driving is their only option for transportation. They can't
afford another unpredictable hike in gas prices."
Beginning
January 1, motor fuels will be subject to
new regulations under the state's cap-and-trade program, which is
administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The effect of
these new policies is expected to increase the price of gas
by as much as 6-76 cents per gallon - a de facto tax on gas.
Senate
Bill 5 (Vidak) would prohibit motor fuels from being included under these new
rules. Morrell is a co-author of this legislation. He co-authored a similar
measure, Senate Bill 1079, at the end of the previous legislative session.
"Families
could pay as much as $790 per year in higher gas prices as well as
$2,500 per year in the increased cost of energy and consumer goods because of
AB 32's cap-and-trade program," continued Morrell. "That's why,
over the last few months, I've joined with community groups and legislators
of both parties in urging the Governor and CARB to stop the hidden gas tax.
Despite these calls, our efforts to protect Californians have been re-buffed
by the administration and his appointees. The Legislature must push forward
and act on this pressing issue."
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