California’s study of a mileage-based road tax is nearing completion, prompting a warning from a prominent Republican lawmaker that Democrats may be preparing to take more money from drivers.
Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) told the California Post that Governor-elect Xavier Becerra and Democratic lawmakers are “champing at the bit” to impose a per-mile charge on motorists. DeMaio said annual odometer checks could be used to calculate the fees, which he warned might be added to existing gas and vehicle taxes.
“They’re proposing everyone does a mileage tax — and they’re not suggesting that we’re going to get rid of any of the gas taxes or car taxes,” DeMaio told the California Post.
Becerra reignited the debate during an October interview with KCRA, saying “everything should be on the table” when asked whether he would support a mileage-based tax to fund California’s roads.
He said electric vehicle owners, who generally do not pay gasoline taxes, should contribute to the infrastructure they use. Becerra’s campaign later rejected claims that he had endorsed a mileage tax.
“Secretary Becerra has not proposed a mileage tax,” campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland previously told The Post.
Officials for Becerra did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
DeMaio said Becerra’s openness to charging motorists by the mile should concern Californians already struggling with the cost of commuting. He pointed in particular to workers who live far from their jobs because housing near employment centers is unaffordable.
The San Diego Republican said Becerra’s earlier comments went beyond simply keeping the idea under consideration.
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“He said, ‘everything’s on the table,’ and then he started arguing in favor of it,” DeMaio said. “He literally was making the argument for the mileage tax.”
“They just want more money,” DeMaio said. “This has all been plotted and planned.”
“Democrats know that there are all these old cars on the road, and they cannot track mileage for old cars,” he said. “So, what is the backup? The backup is you’re going to have to pull your car in annually for a smog check or a mileage odometer reading, and that will be the basis of your charge.”
At a rate of 6 cents per mile, someone driving 15,000 miles a year would owe at least $900 before any credits or offsets, DeMaio said.
DeMaio cited a contentious transportation fight in San Diego County, where the San Diego Association of Governments approved a regional transportation plan in December 2021 that included the possibility of charging motorists for every mile they drove.
After facing public backlash, the agency’s board directed staff in September 2022 to draft an amendment removing the proposed charge. The board formally approved the revised plan in fall 2023.
The California Legislature is now awaiting recommendations from a road-charge pilot program conducted from August 2024 through January 2025.
The pilot examined several methods for tracking miles, including odometer photographs, connected-vehicle technology and plug-in devices operating with or without GPS. Caltrans said participants’ personal information would be protected and destroyed after the study. A final report is due by the end of the year.
Officials for the Department of Transportation did not respond to The Post’s requests for comment.