George
Runner issued the following statement today after joining a 5-0 vote to
lower the gasoline excise tax 3.5 cents per gallon as of July 1, 2014:
“Our
vote today is good news for California taxpayers. This much-needed tax
relief will arrive as Californians are on the road for summer vacations.
“Lower
gas taxes are good for our economy and good for jobs, but even with
this cut Californians will continue to pay one of the highest gas taxes
in the nation.
“Unfortunately,
some in the Legislature want you to pay more taxes, rather than less.
Just last week a leading lawmaker proposed raising your gas tax by up to
43 cents per gallon.
“Rather
than plotting to raise taxes at a time when the state is already awash
in cash, lawmakers should be finding ways to simplify our tax laws and
make life easier for California taxpayers.
“Lawmakers
could start by scrapping the confusing and complicated gas tax formula
they enacted in 2010 and replacing it with one that is simple,
straightforward and easy to understand.”
Elected
in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million
Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more
information, visit
www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.