Gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra has indicated that a mileage-based tax for California drivers is a proposal he is willing to consider to fund road and bridge maintenance. Becerra, the former California attorney general and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, stated that "everything should be on the table" when asked about supporting such a tax if elected governor.
"Our roads aren’t maintained just by some magic wand. We have to pay for it," Becerra said in an interview with KCRA's Ashley Zavala. He added, "Should people who drive electric vehicles, who don’t need gas, pay for those roads to be repaired as well? Absolutely."
The comments come as state officials are concluding a study on the feasibility of replacing the traditional gas tax with a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) fee. This potential tax could add to the financial burden for Californians already contending with a high cost of living, with critics warning that it would disproportionately affect those with long commutes.
Critics, such as Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, have voiced concerns about the possibility of a statewide mileage tax. DeMaio has suggested that motorists could face charges ranging from 6 to 9 cents per mile, in addition to existing fuel and vehicle taxes. At a rate of 6 cents per mile, a driver covering 15,000 miles annually would incur an extra $900 in taxes per year.
DeMaio argues that the state has not adequately maintained its infrastructure despite the taxes collected for such purposes, suggesting that funds have been misallocated. He also contends that a mileage tax could particularly impact working-class residents who may live farther from their workplaces due to expensive housing.
California has previously explored mileage-based fee concepts, including a pilot program in 2018 and a local proposal in San Diego County in 2021 that faced public opposition. Becerra has also proposed other potential revenue-generating measures, such as increased taxes on wealthy individuals and new fees for corporations that do not provide adequate health benefits to full-time employees. The election is scheduled for Tuesday.