Opinion: Gov. Newsom can’t tax the state out of its energy crisis
With gas prices over $6 a gallon, and with the average household buying 90 gallons of gas per month, that is a crippling $600 a month just to drive. Rising energy costs are causing the price of all necessities to increase as well. Family finances are stretched to the breaking point.Since Gov. Gavin Newsom took office, the gas tax has increased four times.
Gov. Newsom is not going to be able to tax and spend his way out an energy crisis he helped create. He is trying to distract Californians from the real-life consequences of his poor policies. For years, continuous warnings have been made and ignored by this administration as refining capacity was reduced, domestic energy production was curtailed, and needed energy infrastructure was not built.
California energy producers produce about 391,000 barrels of oil per day, and they stand ready to do more. The men and women of the energy sector power our state — the fifth-largest economy in the world. They contribute to our communities. Their estimated $21.5 billion in state and local taxes pay for essential services — police, fire and education.