Swap-Out May Be Decided
Sonora, CA — A decision on the possible swap of gasoline tax for an excise tax may be decided in the Legislature in the next couple of days.
On January 12th Tuolumne CAO Craig Pedro commented, “The state is looking at swapping out the state gas tax revenues for an increase in the excise tax. The last time that happened and we were told we would be held even in a revenue swap if approved by the voters we ended up getting $.83 on the dollar. That’s when they (the Legislature) did a state local program realignment in the early 90’s. If the state tells us they’re going to be fair about this, history would suggest otherwise.”
According to Pedro word has come from Sacramento in an e-mail received by Public Works Director Peter Rei that legislation is being discussed that the county would not lose out on all of its transit funding, that it (the legislation) would hold the county about even on roads but the guarantees that are built into Proposition 42 in particular would be gone if the legislation passes.
Pedro stated, “We shall see but this could all happen very quickly.”
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
