FACT CHECK: Newsom Caught Lying About Gas Tax Relief

SACRAMENTO – After a messy week of critics panning his special session stunt, Gov. Newsom took to X to claim a Republican proposal to suspend California’s highest-in-the-nation gas tax would kill road projects and cost jobs.

The only problem? Newsom’s claim is completely and obviously false.

Anyone who took the time to actually read the bill from Asm. Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) can see all the money drivers would save on their taxes would be backfilled with money from the state’s general fund.

People lie when they get desperate,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City). “Gas prices have soared under Newsom and he will do anything to distract from his schemes to push costs even higher. But this is a new low, even for him.”

There have been two bills introduced this special session: a Republican plan to give drivers immediate relief and Newsom’s proposal that even his own administration warns could increase gas prices and create shortages.

And Newsom’s record on road repairs and jobs? California has the second highest unemployment rate in the country and during Newsom’s time in office, our road conditions have fallen from 11th worst in the country down to the 3rd worst. So he’s not exactly credible on those issues either.

Sorry, Governor. Looks like you’ll have to find someone else to blame for the sorry state of California’s roads and the most expensive gas in the nation.

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