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Effort to place California gas-tax repeal on ballot gets enough signatures

Posted at 6:15 PM, Apr 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-25 21:15:41-04

(KGTV) - The Republican-led effort to repeal California's controversial gas-tax has gathered enough signatures to land on the 2017 ballot.

The effort says they have gathered nearly 900,000 signatures, though they only needed 585,000 signatures to qualify for a spot on the ballot.

Former San Diego City Councilmember Carl Demaio, who led the effort, slammed the gas-tax, noting the signature support is a message to state leaders.

RELATED: Gas tax could pay to repave hundreds of county roads

"That outpouring of voter disgust with the car and gas tax hikes should be a message that Sacramento politicians should hear loud and clear," Demaio said.

California's gas-tax was passed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Since November 2017, Californians have had to pay an extra $0.12 for regular, $0.20 for diesel, and beginning January 2, 2018, more on car registration fees.

Supporters of the tax say the money is necessary to fund infrastructure projects and repair deteriorating roads around the state.

RELATED: Data shows how much San Diego families need to budget

Critics, however, say past gas tax funds have gone to other programs and not infrastructure repair. And they expect the same from this tax.

"Governor Brown should have kept his word in allowing voters the final say. They didn't do that. You know why? Because they know that when the voters have a chance to vote ... the voters are going to say 'hells to the no,'" Demaio said.