SACRAMENTO – California Assembly Republicans today criticized Democrats for passing a costly measure that would make driving for Los Angeles County residents even more expensive by imposing higher taxes to combat the effects of global warming.

“At a time when Californians are paying more than $4 per gallon for gas, it is irresponsible to increase the costs of driving to pay for more government spending,” said Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, of Fresno. “Higher taxes on cars and gas will hurt working families already struggling to make ends meet especially hard, and will do nothing to reduce the impact of climate change on our state.”

Assembly Bill 2558, by Assemblymember Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) to impose one of two different taxes – an increased gas tax as high as 3 percent of the retail sales price, or an increased car registration tax as high as $90 per vehicle.  Revenues from these taxes would be used for undefined climate change mitigations.

By allowing these tax increases to take effect with just a majority vote of local residents, Republicans argued that AB 2558 violates important taxpayer protections in the state Constitution that requires a two-thirds vote of affected ratepayers before such tax hikes could take effect.

“The Constitution is very clear, taxes can only be increased by a two-thirds vote of those who would be affected,” said Villines. “This bill clearly violates the Constitution by raising taxes on Southern California drivers with a simple majority vote.”

AB 2558 was approved during today’s Assembly floor session, with only Democrats voting in support of the measure.  It now goes to the State Senate for consideration.