California gas tax increase: Is this the year Jerry Brown pushes it through? - San Jose Mercury News
But this year he appears ready to take on Mission Impossible -- getting Democrats and Republicans to agree to increase the state's gas tax to fix California's crumbling roads and bridges. Hiking the gas tax has always been politically risky, especially in a state where cars are still king and that -gave birth to the anti-tax revolution in the late '70s. But hell might be about to freeze over: For the first time in decades, even... "We're talking about taking some difficult votes," said Sen. Brown had telegraphed his intention to take up the issue in his January inaugural address when he asked Democrats and Republicans to do the "impossible" and craft an agreement to improve transportation infrastructure. "There are many things voters appreciate that aren't sexy, and this is one of them," said David McCuan, a political expert at Sonoma State University. As the condition of the pavement worsens and the price to repair it grows, ideas that seemed outlandish a few years ago are back on the table, including a plan by a San Jose lawmaker that would raise vehicle license and registration fees as well... Over the past decade, the state has used most of its transportation funding on widening roadways -- which reduces traffic jams -- and road projects that expedite commercial shipping. Source: www.mercurynews.com
