Rep. Kiley to Introduce Bill Pushing Back on California’s Nation-Leading Gas Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) is working on a bill aimed at curbing excessive state gas taxes, including California’s, which is the highest in the nation at nearly 71 cents per gallon.

The bill would withhold certain federal highway funding for states that keep their gas tax too high. Under the legislation, states with a gas tax exceeding 50 cents per gallon would see an 8 percent reduction in funding from the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG).

“Californians pay the highest gas taxes in America, and they get little to show for it,” said Congressman Kiley. “This bill sends a clear message: states that overtax their citizens to compensate for inefficient spending should not expect unlimited federal support. If Sacramento wants Washington’s help, it should stop punishing drivers.”

California’s gas tax contributes to the highest fuel prices in the country and places a disproportionate burden on working families, commuters, and small businesses.

The legislation is intended to encourage fiscal responsibility at the state level while ensuring that federal transportation dollars are not used to subsidize excessive taxation policies that drive up the cost of living.

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