Well, the vast conspiracies continue...…,

So, let's see.... Oh, this gas tax and registration fee went through all of the normal process in a fairly long legislative process, with hearings, through both the Senate and the Assembly, for almost a year, and was passed by the constitutionally required two thirds vote by both houses of the legislature.

This proposed gas tax increase, and the debates and compromises were discussed right here on Altamont. The compromise to get the required two thirds vote, required the "bi-partisan" support of a Republican member from Ceres, who demanded the ACE improvements/extension in the Valley, also discussed here on Altamont.

So much for those peddling conspiracy theories about our "evil" "gubmint" passing this without cthe processes being followed, that's horse manure.

The gas tax was adjusted for way less than the rate of inflation since the last significant increase back in the 90's. The registration fee increase is more problematic. This is since this hefty increase in registration fees, was use to "fill the gap" in maintenance funding, which allowed the legislature to give the trucking industry (responsible for as much as ninety percent of road wear and damage) a giant "free ride" on the backs of those of us paying those bloated registration fees, instead of increasing truck fees to cover the funding gap, by charging the trucks in a manner even close to the proportional amount of road damage and costs they are more than happy to pass on to the rest of us.

This latest gas tax package will fund some of the backlog of road damage repairs and upgrades, and fund a few projects on the transit lists, including providing match for Federal funds. But, since we go through this every time, it will only do so for another half a decade or so, until the improved vehicle efficiency, and inflation reduce the cash flow and purchasing power, until we begin to run out. of money, again.

I agree that we should look at VMT charges as an alternative to vehicle valuation taxes (tax road use not vehicle ownership or value). And, I would start with a axle weight based "ton mile" VMT tax on trucking, which would usher in more axles (less road damage per axle), and charge trucks and trailers on the amount of road use, I would use that revenue to fix the roads, and reduce the light duty vehicle registration fees back to where they were for the rest of us. Now, if I could just find lobbyist's as hot as the CTA's....to convince the legislature to pass it....?

This was a "talk radio" "'m mad as hell" orchestrated political side show, as noted.... But, great news.....? Not that great.... to quote Mick: "you can't always get what you want, but sometimes.... you get what you need..."