Supporters of a proposition to repeal the gas tax increase threatened Monday to recall Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra over what they consider a misleading ballot title.
“Voters who wanted to vote ‘yes’ on Prop 6 have been deceived into voting ‘no’ — all because the Attorney General bowed to special interest pressure to remove the words ‘Gas Tax Repeal Initiative’ from the ballot and replace them with an intentionally false and deceptive title,” said Carl DeMaio, chairman of Yes on Prop 6.
The official ballot title of Proposition 6 is:
“Eliminates certain road repair and transportation funding. Requires certain fuel taxes and vehicle fees be approved by the electorate. Initiative constitutional amendment.”
The proposition seeks to repeal Senate Bill 1, which was passed in 2017 and increased the gasoline tax by 12 cents per gallon to fund highway, bridge and transit repairs and improvements. Many projects using funding from the bill are already underway, with “SB1” signs posted throughout the state.
Recent polling suggests the proposition will lose, but supporters say they remain confident.
“We still believe we will win Prop 6, but if we fall short because voters were defrauded of their intent to vote ‘yes’ on Prop 6 — the gas tax repeal initiative — we fully intend to recall Xavier Becerra from office as a punishment,” DeMaio said.
Supporters of the proposition took the first legal step Monday to begin a recall by creating a campaign committee and filing with the state.
