Becerra opens door to California mileage tax as gas revenue debates intensify
The governor’s race centers on road funding, with Republicans arguing that electric vehicles are not yet eroding state gas tax collections enough to justify a new fee for drivers.
By Ana Castro ·
California voters face a November ballot that includes a contest between Democratic Secretary of State Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton. The campaign has focused on affordability and taxation in the final days before Election Day. A specific infrastructure funding proposal has now entered the public discourse.
The proposal involves a vehicle-miles-traveled tax, often called a mileage tax. This fee would replace or supplement the current gas tax to maintain state roads. The concept addresses a projected decline in fuel tax revenue as the number of electric vehicles on the road increases.
Becerra indicated his willingness to consider the measure during a recent interview with Ashley Zavala, a political director at KCRA 3. He stated that road maintenance requires funding and that he is open to various solutions. "Everything should be on the table," Becerra said when asked about the potential for a new tax on driving distance.
Hilton criticized Becerra’s openness to the idea. The Republican candidate told FOX 11 that he strongly opposes the vehicle-miles-traveled tax. He argued that the shift to electric vehicles is not yet substantial enough to create a funding crisis. "93 percent of the cars and trucks on our roads run on gas and diesel, so it's just not correct to say that this is some problem, mileage tax solution right now," Hilton said.
Lori Wilson, a Democratic Assemblywoman who has endorsed Becerra, introduced the legislative framework for the idea. She noted that Assembly Bill 1421 continues a study begun in 2014. The bill focuses on examining a mileage-based fee system to offset expected losses in gas tax revenue.
Republican state lawmakers provided specific figures for the potential cost to drivers. Under plans previously studied, the tax would range from 6 to 9 cents per mile. For the average driver, this would amount to approximately $1,000 in new annual taxes.
Hilton also pointed to existing costs that California drivers already pay. He noted that the state has the highest gas tax and the highest car and truck registration fees in the country. "It just never ends," Hilton said regarding the cumulative financial burden on motorists.
Kate Gordon, CEO of the organization California Forward, suggested alternative methods for generating road revenue. She highlighted that heavier vehicles cause more wear and tear on road surfaces. "It's really our heavy-duty trucks that are creating most of the wear and tear," Gordon said. She added that the state must eventually find new avenues to pay for aging infrastructure.
Becerra’s campaign responded to Hilton’s criticism through a spokesperson. The statement clarified that the candidate has not formally proposed a mileage tax. The spokesperson added that working families already pay their share and that billionaires would also contribute under Becerra’s plan.
