Several Protests Held in San Diego Over New CA Gas Tax

San Diegans came out to several protests across the county Saturday to speak out against the California gas tax that went into effect last week.

Protesters say the tax will hurt California families and won’t ease congestion or pollution. They say the tax will hit lower-income families hardest.

The tax, signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown earlier this year, will go toward funding road repairs and public transportation improvements.

Republican leaders are working to repeal the gas hike on the November 2018 ballot, saying there are enough funds for infrastructure without the tax.

On Nov. 1, the bill, called SB 1, raised gas prices by 12 cents per gallon. By 2019, gas will go up by 47.3 cents per gallon.

Patty Siegmann was at the San Diego protest Saturday.

“People cannot afford it,” she told NBC 7. “I look at the lower income families and the middle class. We can just cannot afford it.”

Lawmakers project the tax will raise $52.4 billion over 10 years.

“Safe and smooth roads make California a better place to live and strengthen our economy,” Gov. Jerry Brown said in April. “This legislation will put thousands of people to work.”

The bill also means the cost of vehicle registration fees will rise starting January 1, 2018.