As Californians pay record-setting prices at the pump, state lawmakers should make sure those state and local taxes are being put back into the roads to improve them.
The massive rise in gas prices is another harsh reminder that Californians pay the highest gas taxes in the nation. But it’s also a reminder that the state’s roads and bridges don’t always perform or look like they’re some of the most expensive in the country. In addition to the 18.4 cents a gallon federal fuel tax, California’s drivers pay 51.1 cents per gallon in state gas taxes, plus state and local sales taxes. And, unfortunately, those high taxes are not translating into smoother, less congested roads across Southern California and the rest of the state. Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report shows California spent $206,924 per state-controlled mile of highway in 2019. The good news, at least relative to some other states: California now spends far less per mile than New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, among others. However, California’s per-mile spending is three times higher than that of Texas, which spends $75,153 per mile. California ranks 45th out of 50 states in overall highway performance and cost-effectiveness, while Texas ranks 16th overall. And California’s ranking has worsened from 43rd overall in previous editions of the report. Part of the reason for the slide—California does not rank higher than average (25th) in any of the Annual Highway Report’s 13 categories. Put simply, when it comes to highways and bridges, the state does many things poorly and nothing particularly well.
