Lawmakers in California have passed a bill that will raise the diesel fuel tax from 16 cents a gallon to 36 cents — a 125% increase.
The increased diesel tax is expected to cost truckers $10.2 billion over 10 years. In order to appease the trucking industry, the state has promised not to impose additional diesel emissions regulations on trucks newer than 13 years old.
In addition to the fuel excise tax, the additional sales taxes on diesel fuel will also be increased from 1.75% to 5.75%
The increase to diesel costs are part of a larger plan that will also hike gas taxes and create additional vehicle usage fees.
The bill was opposed by state Republicans, who argued that California’s gas taxes were already among the highest in the nation.
“Democrats want us to pick up the tab for their decades of neglect,” state Jim Brulte, chairmon of the California Republican party. “The liberal Democrat elites are out of touch and Californians should not be used as a piggy bank for the majority party’s failures.”
Despite their opposition, the bill passed a senate and assembly vote on Thursday evening and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.
The plan is expected to raise $52 billion dollars for road and bridge repairs. The increased taxes will go into effect on November 1st, 2017.
Featured image: Doug Kerr / Flicker