California gov. candidate Matt Mahan urges end to state gas tax

San Jose Mayor and California gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan urged the state to temporarily suspend its gas tax to give relief to motorists bleeding cash at the pump.

“Working families are being forced to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or gas in the car for their morning commute,” he said in a statement. “California’s elected leaders must choose to help.”

Mahan’s comments came as a gallon of regular gas reached nearly $5.50 on average across the state on Saturday, more than 90 cents above the average a month ago.

The war in Iran has has only compounded sky-high prices in the Golden State, where drivers pay a “California premium” loaded with higher-than average state excise and sales taxes, as well hefty fees for climate programs unique to the state.

“When a natural disaster hits California, we step up and help. A man-made disaster should be no different,” Mahan said. “Californians should not be forced to pay for a war in the Middle East they didn’t start.”

Mahan, a moderate Democrat who entered the crowded governors race in late January, has been critical of Gov. Gavin Newsom and says the state needs to do better on affordability, homelessness and crime. 

“The most immediate and effective way we can make California more affordable right now is by temporarily suspending our gas taxes,” Mahan said in his statement.

On Friday, the Trump administration signed an executive order to ​resume oil drilling off the Southern California coast, citing national energy security concerns.

Oil pumping operations are expected to begin imminently off the coast of Santa Barbara.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters