Gas Taxes and High-Speed Rail, What We Can Learn from the Candidates' Debate - Streetsblog California

"Matt Mahan (D): The Mayor of San José has actively proposed a temporary gas tax holiday. Mahan argues this suspension should last as long as price spikes persist, which depending on the definition could literally be forever, pitching the idea as a direct form of cost-of-living relief for working families."

"Steve Hilton (R): A leading Republican candidate, Hilton explicitly supports cutting or suspending the gas tax. His broader energy policy includes rolling back climate initiatives he blames for high prices, such as California's cap-and-trade system and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. If Hilton were to somehow become Governor, it's still unlikely he would be able to move the state back to an oil-based transportation system through the legislature, but his endorsement from President Trump could signal that he's willing to use the executive office to ignore other governments."

"Antonio Villaraigosa (D): The former Mayor of L.A. has a more nuanced position. While he has not fully embraced a gas tax suspension, he has suggested the state suspend key environmental rules-such as fuel standards and refinery reg"

Six leading candidates for California governor met on a debate stage without addressing transit funding, traffic deaths, or city resilience. The debate included questions on California High-Speed Rail and on actions to reduce gas prices. Matt Mahan proposed a temporary gas tax holiday lasting as long as price spikes persist, framing it as cost-of-living relief for working families. Steve Hilton supported cutting or suspending the gas tax and tied high prices to climate initiatives, including cap-and-trade and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Antonio Villaraigosa suggested suspending key environmental rules, including fuel standards and refinery regulations, rather than fully endorsing a gas tax suspension.

Read at Streetsblog California