California to Raise Gas Tax by 2 Cents a Gallon in July

Despite escalating gas prices this summer, California is raising gas taxes by another 2 cents a gallon July 1, reaching nearly 60 cents per gallon, the state announced April 30. State drivers were paying the highest price at the pump Tuesday as the average reached $5.39 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. The national average was nearly $3.66. Prices began to rise quickly after February because of shortages caused by scheduled and unscheduled maintenance at the state’s refineries and the yearly switch to eco-friendly summer blend gasoline. California drivers also pay extra for a host of taxes and climate agenda fees. The state adds about 20 to 25 cents extra on each gallon for state-mandated summer blend gasoline. Consumers also pay federal excise tax, 27 cents a gallon for the state’s cap-and-trade program, a low-carbon fuel tax of 11 cents per gallon, about 2 cents for underground gas storage fees, and an additional 3.7 percent in state and local taxes....