Newsom under fire as California gas tax hike sends pump prices even higher

FIRST ON FOX: California motorists are set to pay even more at the pump starting Wednesday as another gas tax increase takes effect, prompting some of the state's Republican lawmakers to warn that added costs will further squeeze residents already shouldering some of the highest fuel prices in the nation.

The lawmakers say that figure doesn't include the state's sales tax and other local fees, bringing the total surcharge burden to about $1.15 per gallon at California pumps.

California GOP Reps. James Gallagher, Tom McClintock, Vince Fong, Jay Obernolte, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, and Kevin Kiley, I-Calif., also signed the letter. 

The policy dates back to a 2017 California transportation law that raised the state's fuel taxes to help fund road, highway and transit projects. Voters rejected a 2018 ballot measure to repeal the law, allowing the annual excise tax increases to remain in effect. 

"Repealing gas taxes wouldn't lower prices at the pump - it would hand oil companies a massive tax break with no guarantee that a single cent would be passed on to drivers," Newsom's office wrote in a March press release.

"It's no surprise that a delegation of congressional Republicans would be opposed to following the law," a spokesperson for Newsom told Fox News Digital, noting the gas tax increase is required by existing law."It's an automatic, annual mechanism enacted in 2017 and upheld by voters in 2018 - all before Governor Newsom was elected Governor of California," the spokesperson added. "Meanwhile, Trump's reckless war on Iran - which has no congressional authorization - has now forced a growing $63 billion in extra fuel costs on Americans nationwide and gifted billions of dollars in unfrozen money to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."

Republicans have sharply criticized Newsom for pursuing policies they argue have raised energy prices in the state, which in turn can make everyday life more expensive. 

Newsom has also backed a goal for California to halt all oil extraction in the state by 2045.

"California drivers pay almost $2 more per gallon than the national average, yet Governor Newsom continues to advance policies that will drive prices even higher," Valadao said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Central Valley families are already feeling the strain of California's high cost of living, and they can't afford to pay an extra 71 cents per gallon every time they fill up their tanks."

"It's past time for Sacramento to stop these harmful price hikes, prioritize domestic energy production, and ease the burden on hardworking Californians instead of adding to it," he added.