Jerry Brown, Democratic leaders agree to increase taxes to fix California roads
Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders announced a $5.2 billion road-funding package Wednesday that would raise gas taxes and user fees on motorists, setting off a major political struggle to pass it in the Legislature.
Officials have set an April 6 deadline to approve the package, which would increase fuel taxes and contains a new sliding charge linked to a vehicle’s value. The agreement also includes a constitutional amendment meant to keep lawmakers from shifting transportation revenue to other uses, something that happened frequently in the past.
For the owner of a $30,000 vehicle, who drives 13,000 miles a year at 25 miles per gallon, Wednesday’s package would cost an additional $16.80 a month at full implementation, assuming tax levels in place today.
Likening the condition of the state’s roads to a homeowner’s deteriorating roof, Brown said the state has to act to avoid even worse maintenance and repair problems in the future.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article141475034.html
