SACRAMENTO (July 1, 2026) – Today, Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) issued a statement on the California gas tax rising yet again:
“It should come as no surprise to California residents that rather than making life more affordable, the legislature has found another way to make basic necessities more expensive,” said Assemblymember Dixon. “Californians are already paying one of the highest gas prices in the nation, and we will see another gas tax increase on July 1, making life even more unaffordable.”
The California Legislature passed SB 1, The Road Repair and Accountability Act, in 2017 when California’s gas tax was just 27.8 cents per gallon. Today, California’s gas tax rises to 63.4 cents per gallon. In the past decade since its passage, the gas tax has more than doubled and will continue to automatically increase every July. Since Governor Newsom took office, gas prices have increased by 57.52%.
High gas prices in California are not just a product of taxes either. Between state taxes, fees and mandates, the Government adds about $1.20 to every gallon of gas that Californians purchase at the pump. For residents and families that are already struggling with California’s self-inflicted affordability crisis, these extra costs are a crushing burden.
In addition, California’s adversarial relationship with gas refineries has led to even more price volatility. Just this year, the State lost nearly 20% of its refining capacity due to policies passed by Sacramento politicians. It’s important to remember that these refineries do not just keep our fuel supply affordable and stable but also create hundreds of jobs.
I have always advocated for the importance of all businesses, both large and small, in California. In addition, I ran AB 16 in 2023 to try to suspend the automatic gas tax increase. A temporary suspension would have alleviated costs at the pump and made life more affordable, but that bill was never even given a committee hearing. The government should respond to an affordability crisis by lowering costs, not adding to them. I remain committed to supporting any efforts to suspend further gas tax increases and will continue to advocate for policy that provides meaningful, permanent relief for Californians.
When you see your gas prices jump yet again, remember that Sacramento Democrats chose to let it happen, and you’ll be the one stuck with the bill.
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Assemblymember Diane Dixon, R-Newport Beach, is a pragmatic businesswoman and former Mayor, who represents the 72nd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest.