Gas prices in California will go up on Friday: Here's why

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LOS ANGELES - California’s gas tax is scheduled to increase on July 1 after legislative leaders rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to suspend the hike to help drivers cope with skyrocketing gas prices at the pump.

Here's what you need to know.

How much is it going up?

The programmed annual gas tax hike is set to occur on July 1, 2022, with an increase of 5.6%. That takes the current tax up to 53.9 cents per gallon, a jump of 2.8 cents.

Drivers will pay nearly 3 cents more per gallon when the inflationary increase takes effect. That tax is built into the price of gas in California, which is hovering around $6.40 per gallon on average.

Why is it going up?

This automatic increase is due to Senate Bill 1 which was signed into law in 2017 and incrementally raises the fuel excise tax each year.

How do California's prices compare to the rest of the country?

California already has the highest taxes on gasoline in the United States.

Gas prices in California are the highest in the U.S., reaching close to $7 per gallon in some parts of the state.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County decreased Thursday for the 16th consecutive day and 17th time in 18 days, dropping one cent to $6.327.

The average price has dropped 13.3 cents over the past 18 days, including six-tenths of a cent Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. The run of dropping prices follows an 18-day streak of increases totaling 36.9 cents.

The Orange County average price also decreased for the 16th consecutive day and 17th time in 18 days, dropping eight-tenths of a cent to $6.242. It has decreased 16.8 cents over the past 18 days, including nine- tenths of a cent Wednesday. The run of dropping prices follows an 17-day streak of increases totaling 35.1 cents.

The national average price dropped for the 15th consecutive day following an 18-day streak of increases, decreasing 1.3 cents to $4.868. It has dropped 14.8 cents over the past 15 days, including 1.6 cents Tuesday.

The national average price rose 41.5 cents during the 18-day streak of increases. It is 8.7 cents less than one week ago but 25.8 cents more than one month ago and $1.759 higher than one year ago.

Where will the money go?

According to the state, most of the money goes to fix potholes and rebuild deteriorating roads, and bridges, and to improve public transportation.

What about a gas rebate? Is there any relief coming?

State lawmakers are at a standstill on how to provide gas relief to drivers in California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a plan in March that would give a $400 rebate in the form of a debit card per registered vehicle owner, and up to $800 for drivers with more than one vehicle.

However, Democrats in the legislature did not want to tie relief to car ownership, and instead proposed a plan that would give relief to people who earn up to $125,000 or joint filers up to $250,000, and the relief would be $200 for each person.

A lot depends on how the war in Ukraine affects global oil markets. Analysts say some Russian oil is almost certain to be lost to markets because the European Union, Russia’s biggest and closest customer, has vowed to end most purchases from Moscow within six months.

The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.