It’s the gas tax, stupid
President Trump is advocating for the suspension of the federal gas tax until the Iran war concludes, potentially creating a rare bipartisan moment. In contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom is resisting calls to lower the state's high gas taxes, which are among the highest in the nation. The article critiques Newsom and former Attorney General Xavier Becerra for their stance on gas taxes, suggesting it is politically detrimental.
- ▪President Trump is asking Congress to suspend the federal gas tax until the Iran war is over.
- ▪California has the highest gas taxes in the country at 61 cents per gallon, not including sales tax and other fees.
- ▪Former Attorney General Xavier Becerra misled voters regarding a ballot measure aimed at repealing the gas tax in 2018.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Opinion It’s the gas tax, stupid By CA Post Editorial Board Published May 17, 2026, 10:38 a.m. ET President Donald Trump is asking Congress to suspend the federal gas tax until the Iran war is over. How hard was that? Not hard at all. And he might have found a rare moment of bipartisan compromise in Washington. Trump has a knack for taking “free money” off the table, politically. Gavin Newsom: Not so much. Newsom continues to resist calls to suspend or lower the state’s gas taxes. 4 President Donald Trump is asking Congress to suspend the federal gas tax until the Iran war is over. Getty Images These are the highest gas taxes in the country, at 61 cents per gallon. And that’s before sales tax and other fees.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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