REJECTED

What it would do:

Repeal a recent increase in the gas tax and other fuel and car fees and require voter approval for all transportation-related tax increases in the future. Taxes to be rolled back include a 12-cent hike in the gasoline excise tax, a 4 percent increase in the diesel sales tax, as well as a new annual vehicle fee based on the value of the car or truck. 

What it would cost the government:

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the state’s nonpartisan budgetary scorekeeper, the state government would lose $5.1 billion annually in foregone tax revenue. Most of this money now goes to road and highway repair and maintenance, along with public transportation and mixed-transportation projects. There would also likely be longer term fiscal impacts, as state and local lawmakers would have a much more difficult time raising revenue from gas and car-related sources in the future.

Why it is on the ballot:

California roads are in rough shape, the product of years of deferred maintenance and recession-era budget cutting. Last year, lawmakers passed a bill to raise the state tax on gasoline for the first time in over two decades to fund repairs and maintenance, along with new transit projects and infrastructure upgrades. The bill also raised taxes on diesel and introduced a new car fee. This led Republicans and other anti-tax advocates to immediately begin mobilizing. In June, these same groups successfully campaigned for the recall of Josh Newman, a vulnerable Democratic state senator for Orange County, ostensibly over his support of the transportation bill.

Full text of Prop. 6

Still undecided? Check out our interactive ballot guide that helps you get to a decision about how to vote on each ballot measure through a series of questions.

Arguments

Arguments in Favor:

Californians already pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, including one of the highest state gas taxes. Lawmakers should be forced to trim spending and improve efficiency before asking drivers for more money.

Arguments Against:

California hasn’t raised its gas tax in decades and the state’s transportation infrastructure is crumbling as a result. Conditions are unsafe for drivers and bad for business. Cities and counties are already using this money to improve our streets, highways, and transit systems. The idea that state and local governments could still make these necessary investments without this funding source just by “trimming the fat” is a fantasy.

Videos

See for yourself

Supporters/Opponents

Supporters

John Cox (Republican candidate for governor)

California Republican Party

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Opponents

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (Democratic candidate for governor)

California Democratic Party

Sierra Club California

California Chamber of Commerce

California Labor Federation

The League of Women Voters of California

League of California Cities

Data

Prop. 6 Campaign Contributions

Going Deeper

Story

$700 a year? Less than $10 a month? We analyze how much California’s gas tax increase really costs you

Story

That California election ballot ‘correction’ you got for Prop. 6 isn’t from the government

Commentary

Gas tax repeal proves why California needs this election reform

Story

Campaign to repeal gas tax short of cash as California Republican leaders focus funds on other contests

Story

How does California really spend your gas tax dollars? See for yourself.

Story

GOP alliances rip over gas tax repeal: Anti-taxers vs. business establishment

Commentary

Proposition 6: Unfair gas tax or needed revenue for road repair

Commentary

My turn: Here’s where gas tax repeal would hurt the most

Story

Gas tax repeal lures California Democrats in key House races

Editorial

Editorial: No on Proposition 6 — cynical political ploy would destroy California’s roads

Story

Wording matters: Decoding mixed messages on gas tax and rent control from new poll

Editorial

It’s hard to overstate how destructive Proposition 6 would be for California. Vote no

Story

California agency, gas tax backers worked closely together

Editorial

Editorial: To preserve funds for roads, transit, vote no on Prop. 6

Commentary

Officials walk fine line on using public funds for campaigns