Hilton Slams Becerra Over Potential Mileage Tax, Calls it 'Gouging'

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has strongly criticized Democratic rival Xavier Becerra's consideration of a mileage tax, asserting that such a proposal would lead to an additional $1,000 annual cost for California drivers. Hilton voiced his concerns on Thursday, accusing Democrats of consistently burdening working families.

"Now we know that with Xavier Becerra as governor, you’ll pay an extra $1,000 a year just for driving your car," Hilton stated, according to the New York Post. He made these remarks shortly before a news conference in Sanger, where he planned to discuss his own proposal to reduce gas prices to $3 per gallon.

"They never stop gouging you," Hilton added. "First, it’s the highest gas prices in the country, then the highest car registration fees. Now they want to track you everywhere you drive and charge up to 10 cents a mile."

Hilton characterized the potential tax as "disgusting Democrat elitism at its worst."

Becerra, who previously served as California's attorney general and as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, indicated his willingness to explore a mileage-based tax to fund road maintenance. "Everything should be on the table," Becerra told KCRA's Ashley Zavala when asked about supporting such a tax. He explained, "Our roads aren’t maintained just by some magic wand. We have to pay for it." He further elaborated that while he does not wish to tax people unnecessarily, those who drive electric vehicles, which do not use gasoline, should also contribute to road repairs.

Becerra's comments provided Hilton with a critical talking point days before the election, as Hilton has made the state's cost of living a central theme of his campaign to unseat Governor Gavin Newsom.

Hilton argued that a mileage tax would disproportionately affect Californians already struggling with the costs of housing, fuel, and other necessities. "The people who will be hit the hardest are working-class Californians and small business owners who drive their cars and trucks for work — not the work-from-home climate warriors sitting on their laptops lecturing the rest of us about how to live," Hilton said.

California has been examining mileage-based road charges as an alternative to the traditional gas tax, which is projected to yield less revenue as more drivers switch to electric and fuel-efficient vehicles. A recent state pilot program tested charging drivers based on distance traveled, with a final report expected by the end of the year.

State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) has previously warned that a mileage tax could add between 6 and 9 cents per mile, on top of existing taxes. This could result in annual costs ranging from $900 to $1,350 for drivers covering 15,000 miles annually.

In contrast, Hilton has pledged to lower driving costs by reducing gas prices to $3 per gallon and capping vehicle registration fees at $73 annually. His proposals include eliminating the state gasoline tax, reducing environmental regulations, and increasing domestic oil production, actions that would require legislative support.

Hilton reiterated his opposition to a mileage tax, stating, "As governor, I will veto the mileage tax. This is just another example of how you’ll save with Steve."