Exclusive | California drivers fume as gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra opens door to mileage tax: ‘You’re taxing the poor’

Struggling Californians are pushing back against the prospect of another hit to their wallets after Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra opened the door to taxing motorists for every mile they drive.

“Everything should be on the table,” Becerra told KCRA’s Ashley Zavala when asked whether he would support a mileage-based tax as governor.

“Our roads aren’t maintained just by some magic wand. We have to pay for it,” he said. “Do I want to tax people more than necessary? No. Should we pay a gas tax? Yes. Should people who drive electric vehicles, who don’t need gas, pay for those roads to be repaired as well? Absolutely.”

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra speaks into a microphone during a campaign event.
California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra opened the door to taxing motorists for every mile they drive. Minh Connors for CA Post

The former California attorney general and Biden administration Health and Human Services secretary is running to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, with his comments coming as state officials wrap up a study on whether to replace the traditional gas tax with a fee based on miles driven.

The prospect of another charge is rattling Californians already struggling with the state’s soaring cost of living, particularly workers who depend on their vehicles to make a living.

Los Angeles trucker Kenyatta Cole, 62, whose family has spent three generations in the trucking business, questioned why drivers should pay more when they’re already struggling to cover existing taxes and operating costs.

“We already pay highway use tax in order to use the roads here in California,” Cole told The California Post Thursday.

Semi-trucks parked at a truck stop as fuel costs continue to rise.
Truckers face high diesel prices at a truck stop on the 5 Freeway in Castaic. Andy Johnstone for CA Post

“You’re taxing the poor. When is it gonna stop?”

Cole said mounting fuel, insurance and operating costs are eating away at his livelihood, leaving little money to support his family.

“We’re putting in 12 hours,” he said of his workdays. “It’s just to stay afloat.”

A large sign at the Castaic Truck Stop displays diesel prices of $7.94 cash and $8.04 credit, with semi-trucks parked in the background against dry hills.
California diesel prices hit a record $8.39 a gallon in September, compared with $5.17 a year earlier, according to AAA. Andy Johnstone for CA Post

The Post first spoke with Cole in June, when soaring diesel prices were hammering independent trucking operators across California.

At the time, Cole revealed that his three trucks burned through more than $16,000 in diesel in a single month, while insurance costs and California’s environmental regulations squeezed his business.

“This business is coming to a screeching halt,” he said at the time.

California diesel prices hit a record $8.39 a gallon in September, compared with $5.17 a year earlier, according to AAA.

Kenyatta Cole standing in front of an orange dump truck.
Kenyatta Cole said mounting fuel, insurance and operating costs are eating away at his livelihood, leaving little money to support his family. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post

Now, Cole said, truckers are putting in longer hours just to break even.

“We’re not talking about just paying our house loans as far as those and the kids’ school and all of these things,” he said. “We’re talking about just the operating. And we’re just barely breaking even.”

Herb Morgan, a Republican candidate for California state controller who is campaigning alongside gubernatorial hopeful Steve Hilton, said he witnessed the financial strain firsthand when roughly 250 motorists lined up for hours at a promotional event offering gasoline for $3 a gallon.

Even at the discounted price, some drivers couldn’t afford to fill their tanks, buying only what their weekly budgets allowed.

A semi-truck drives past a highway sign displaying fuel prices.
The prospect of another charge is rattling Californians already struggling with the state’s soaring cost of living, particularly workers who depend on their vehicles to make a living. REUTERS

“They can’t even afford to fill the tank,” Morgan told The Post. “So they buy whatever they can spare. And these guys wanna add more tax.”

“The state has ran out of ways to tax the rich, now they want to tax the poor.”

Morgan also blasted the prospect of another road tax without greater accountability for the billions California already collects from motorists.

Kenyatta Cole standing in front of a dump truck in Los Angeles.
Kenyatta Cole stands with laid off pothole repair truckers in Los Angeles. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post

“Malia Cohen, the state controller, is not auditing the cap and trade, the cap and invest, all the gas tax programs,” Morgan said, calling for tougher oversight of how taxpayer dollars are spent.

“I’m just disgusted with these politicians,” Cole said. “I used to love California, you know, and… But I’m to the point now, people are leaving. Jobs are leaving.”

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