Republicans in California are about to turn in signatures of at least 830,000 people in a push to repeal the state's gas tax increase, and Republican candidates in the state are pushing voter anger at the increased fuel prices toward Democrats, who supported the increase, the Los Angeles Times reported.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., donated $400,000 to the Give Voters a Voice campaign committee that aims to qualify the repeal for the November ballot, the newspaper reported.
Other top Republicans have donated, including gubernatorial candidate John Cox, who gave $250,000. Republican congressional candidates have donated hundreds of thousands more, according to the LA Times.
"Everybody on the Republican side, at least all my clients, are definitely making this an issue," political consultant David Gilliard said, the LA Times reported.
"It's generating a lot of support in their districts, because people are angry about this gas tax and the price of gasoline in California," Gilliard said.
"The breadth and depth of voter anger over the car and gas tax hikes is just amazing… we are seeing Democrats, independents, and Republicans sign the petition and volunteering to carry the petition, people from all walks of life," said Carl DeMaio, a lead organizer of the effort, the newspaper noted.
"I think this is going to put Democrats in a real bad spot," DeMaio added, noting that he feels "pretty confident" the repeal will happen.
The campaign requires 585,407 registered voters to sign it to qualify the measure for the November ballot. The campaign aims to turn in around 900,000 signatures to county elections officials beginning Friday, DeMaio said.
Democrats said that they are not concerned about the Republican push, because the increased gas tax is paying for infrastructure repairs to roads and bridges, the report said.
"The condition of our infrastructure is an embarrassment that hurts the entire economy of the states, and Californians want it fixed," said John Vigna, California Democratic Party spokesman, the LA Times reported.
Californians began paying the increased tax in November — a 12-cent increase in gas tax, a 20-cent increase in diesel fuel excise tax, and an annual vehicle fee which goes up to $175 for cars that are worth $60,000 or more, the report said.
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